Selective collection - does it make sense, or is it just an invention and making our lives miserable?

We often hear about separate waste collection, usually in a rather negative context. Someone talks about segregation errors, others about too little segregated waste compared to all the waste we throw away. At yet another time, we hear about complaints from residents about waste collection companies that are supposed to put segregated waste into one rubbish truck. What is the point of all this? - wonders Kaja Mietlicka, environmental education specialist. And answers: - Contrary to appearances, huge. 

Is it worth the effort if we keep hearing that we are doing it wrong anyway? What is the point of separate collection anyway? Couldn't we just put everything in one bin so that someone can sort it later at the sorting plant? 

Of course, I ask all this provocatively, repeating the most popular, colloquial - and very unfair - opinions about the need to separate waste. But one step at a time.

Glass, paper and plastics - each to a different bin. This is the starting point for recycling 

Let's start with what separate collection is in general. It is the process of separating waste into different fractions for proper treatment and recycling. Separate collection involves separating different types of waste, such as glass, paper, plastic or metal, and collecting them in specially designated containers or bags. Simple? Only in practice. 

Separate collection aims to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfill and, above all, to use secondary raw materials for recycling. In this way, completely new, useful things can be created from waste. A glass bottle can make new bottles or jars, waste paper can make newspapers or notebooks and a plastic bottle can make new plastic packaging, hangers or fleece hoodies. Processing and recycling waste is more environmentally friendly than landfilling or incineration.

These are the main reasons why separate collection was introduced. But can't we really put all our waste in one bin and leave the sorting to the sorting plants and their staff?

Unfortunately, it is not that simple. 

Separating waste improves its quality, our safety and helps care for the climate 

We cannot put all waste into one container for several reasons. Firstly, this would make recycling more difficult and reduce the amount of materials that can be reused. An example would be paper, which we cannot put in the blue bin if it is wet or greasy. Selective collection increases not only the quantity but also the quality of the raw materials collected.

Secondly, some wastes (called hazardous wastes) - such as chemicals, batteries, medicines or electronics - can be harmful to the environment or human health. When these wastes are mixed with others, there is a risk of contamination and release of hazardous substances. Therefore, there are special ways to collect and dispose of these materials.

Thirdly, some materials require special treatment to be disposed of safely. An example is organic waste, which can decompose and give off methane, one of the main causes of climate change. Through appropriate treatment, such as composting, this waste can be transformed into a safe and useful product for agriculture, known as compost. 

Separate collection and separation of waste is important to protect the environment, human health and efficient use of resources. This is why we cannot put all waste into one container. Even assuming that someone at the sorting plant were to try to sort it later - in many cases it would already be too late. 

Into which bin? Check carefully, municipalities and cities have different rules 

The ways in which separate collection is carried out can vary between municipalities. In some towns, recyclables are collected in bags, in others in bins. In some towns, there are two bins for glass: one for white and one for coloured glass; in others, there is one bin in which you can put both white and coloured glass. You can find the exact segregation rules for your local area on the website of your municipality or town hall.

In summary, separate waste collection is an essential part of the environmental protection and sustainability process. By segregating and recycling waste, it is possible to reduce the negative impact on the environment, reduce the consumption of natural resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, the next time you hear at a family event about "pointless segregation" and the mythical rubbish truck "where they mix everything anyway", it is worth shouting out: Hey! That's totally wrong! And explain to your interlocutors how much depends on waste segregation.