Slovakia is becoming increasingly more familiar with the principles of correct waste separation. However, in spite of increasing numbers, the waste recycling rate is below the EU average, namely by as much as 10 percentage points. Red-and-white containers intended for collection of small municipal waste are also supposed to increase […]

Slovakia is becoming increasingly more familiar with the principles of correct waste separation. However, in spite of increasing numbers, the waste recycling rate is below the EU average, namely by as much as 10 percentage points.  Red-and-white containers intended for collection of small municipal waste are also supposed to increase the proportion of separated municipal waste components in Petržalka.  

15 unique containers in the largest housing estate in Central Europe

From the start of December, new collection containers intended for small electronic waste will be placed in Petržalka. Its inhabitants will have as many as 15 new red-and-white containers available 24/7, without any limitations. According to the head of the Department of Environment, Daniela Vašková Kasáková, the city district may increase such number in the future. The reason why also Petržalka decided to be involved in the project was “mainly to provide citizens with another service related to waste management and thus to increase the separation rate,” Vašková Kasáková says. The importance of unique collection containers is also acknowledged by Ronald Blaho, the executive officer of ASEKOL SK, the company that operates the project: “with 15 red-and-white containers in Petržalka we can collect 20,000 kilograms of small electronic waste per year. With 10 containers more the collected amount could reach 30,000 kilograms per year,” Blaho explains.

Less electronic waste in municipal waste

Stationary containers for collection of small electronic waste are already common in many Slovak towns and municipalities. They significantly contribute to environmental protection, facilitate correct recycling in Slovak municipalities and prevent the occurrence of risks related to incorrect handling of electronic waste, which often ends up in collection containers for municipal waste and finally in landfills, releasing dangerous and harmful substances into the environment. Since December, Petržalka has also been involved in ASEKOL SK´s project. As the largest housing estate in Central Europe it is also the biggest producer of municipal waste, with 48 thousand tonnes of waste produced annually. Electronic waste accounts for approximately 1% of its total volume. 

Sufficient collection capacity

New red-and-white containers will be located at various places in the city district in order to create the most efficient collection network possible. Each of the 15 containers contains a filling sensor which enables efficient emptying of the collection containers. Red-and-white containers will be located at the following places:

1. Križovatka Osuského – Hrobákova
2. Haanova
3. Ovsištské námestie
4. Furdekova
5. Rovniankova
6. Mánesovo námestie
7. Gercenova/ Záporožská
8. Wolkrova
9. Fedinova
10. Švabinského 1
11. Beňadická 21
12. Budatínska 27
13. Holíčska 13
14. Jasovská 12
15. Jasovská 33

Citizens may also use an app by Sensoneo which makes it possible to monitor the filling of the red-and-white containers and to find not only the nearest unfilled collection container but also to report any damage to the containers.

Information about what may be thrown into the red-and-white containers, as well as a map of their locations, may be found at  www.cervenobielekontajnery.sk.