Austria has a well-organised waste separation system that enables the residents to properly separate the rubbish for a better environment. Recycling and proper waste separation are also considered as an important and a highly prioritised task in Austria. In the near vicinity of each household, there are containers for paper waste, plastic waste, organic waste and residual waste; while glass and metal waste containers are usually found within walking distance.
Waste Separation Guide
It can be confusing, especially to those who are new to waste separation, on the various items to put into the different containers/bins, the following guideline listed in details the different items to be included in each of the categories, however, it should be noted that different cities may differ slightly on the items included in the different categories, so it will be useful to also check with the local office.
Red bin (Papier) – Egg cartons, folders (without metal); facsimile paper; notebooks/exercise books (without the plastic cover); magazines; cardboard; catalogues (without the plastic envelope); copying paper; fruit trays (if made of cardboard); paper towels (clean); paper bags, paper carrier bags; paper packaging (coated-labelled “fold and dispose of with waste paper”); cardboard boxes; frozen foods packaging (if made of coated cardboard); corrugated cardboard; advertising materials (without plastic envelope); newspapers, newsprint, journals.
Yellow bin (Leicht-Verpackung) – Bottles: beverage bottles (made of plastic, disposable), plastic bottles (disposable), PET beverage bottles (disposable); glue (tube, can; emptied) (NOTE: For VILLACH and KLAGENFURT, items listed hereafter should NOT be throw into the yellow bin but as restmull at the black bin); flasks (plastic); fruit carrier nets (made of plastic and cotton); packaging: plastic, film, blister, ceramic, coated paper, Styrofoam; cellophane wrappers; disposable tableware (plastic); disposable cutlery; plastic cups; fasteners; Styrofoam peanuts; wrapping film; Tetra Pack, toner cartridges (emptied); plastic carrier bags.
Brown bin (Bioabfall) – Fruit and vegetable waste; eggshells; citrus fruit; coffee filters (with coffee dregs); coffee grounds; coffee dregs; leftover food; bones; meat (spoiled; no liquid); tea bags; kitchen waste; kitchen rolls; kitchen paper (dirty); branches, pruned twigs (shredded); flowers; flower wastes; fallen fruits; garden waste; hedge trimmings; hay, fallen leaves; lawn cuttings; brushwood (shredded); tree bark; shrub cuttings; indoor plants; sprigs. (*If waste is not thrown directly into the bin, please use organic bin liners/biodegradable bin bags, not the usual plastic bags).
Black bin (Restmüll) – Nappies (diapers); plastic bucket (household bucket, no packaging; emptied colour bucket); plastic caps; plastic toys; flowerpots; watering cans; bottles, flasks, flacons (if made of ceramic); photographs; photo negatives; light bulbs (but not energy-saving lamps); hair (household sweepings); sanitary products; cat litter; napkins (very dirty); glass tableware (for example: drinking glass); handkerchiefs (used); Tarpaulin; ash (coal, coke; cold); lead crystal glass; CDs; CD-ROMS; printer cartridges (for inkjet printer); colour residues (dried, solvent-free); cassettes; cork; ball pen.
White bin (Weissglas) – Clear bottles; flaks; flacons (if made of glass); clear glass bottles (disposable); clear gherkin jars; clear storage jars; clear cosmetic packaging; clear cosmetics flasks (if made of glass); clear jam jars.
Green bin (Buntglas) – Stained glass; coloured bottles; flasks; flacons (if made of glass), coloured glass bottles (disposable, coloured gherkin gars, coloured storage jars, coloured cosmetic packaging; coloured cosmetic flasks (if made of glass); coloured medicine bottles.
Blue bin (Metall-Verpackung) – Aluminium cans; tin cans; aluminium foil; crown caps; screw tops (if made of metal); spray and aerosol cans (completely emptied); yoghurt tub lids; coffee packaging; food cans; meal trays made of aluminium; tubes (if made of metal). (NOTE: For KLAGENFURT, metal can also be throw into the yellow bin/plastic).
Except the aforementioned, there are also specific facilities or collection points for other types of waste. For example, toxic waste is to be dealt with at special waste collection points; old batteries can be returned to shops that sell batteries. Furthermore, there is also local recycling centre (Altstoffsammelzentrum), where collect waste items (e.g. Hazardous substances, materials with hazardous properties) that must be taken to and not be disposed of as the household waste.
These include: Demolition timber/wood, rechargeable batteries, out-of-date medicines and drugs, used cooking oil and fat, aluminium rims, batteries, car batteries, button cells, monitors, computer screens, fertiliser bags (empty), electronic waste, energy-saving lamps, spray cans (if not completely empty), paint buckets (plastic, completely emptied), thermometers, deep frying fat and oil, glue, adhesive, adhesive tubes or containers, crates (if made of wood, toner cartridges (completely emptied).
For household waste, it is free of charge if delivered to the centre in household quantities,
these include: Glasses; textiles; Screen devices (TV, computers, laptops etc.); metals (Iron pieces, cables, scrap waste etc.); electronic appliances (Washing machines, electric cookers, blenders, irons, radios, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners etc.); plastics (pipes, garden furniture, toys etc.); lamps (fluorescent tubes, energy saving lamps etc.); paper (newspapers, magazines, cardboard etc.); problem materials (batteries, paints, oil, drugs etc.); cooking oil (used cooking oil and fat etc.); packaging (cardboard, plastic cans etc.)
The Altstoffsammelzentrum is also a collection point for materials such as large old furniture or large quantities of household waste, there will be a small charge of 3 Euros per delivery (up to 300 kg weight), these include: Waste wood (furniture, boards, post etc.); Rubble (brick, tiles, ceramics) only in small amounts; bulky waste (carpets, furniture, mattresses, flooring etc.); car tires (each piece cost 3 Euro).
For further information about the Altstoffsammelzentrum including the location and opening hours, please visit the page.