In the last month, 5 electrical waste containers were destroyed in the Bratislava - Petržalka district. Out of the total number of 15 units […]

In the last month, 5 electrical waste containers were destroyed in the Bratislava – Petržalka district. Out of the total number of 15 units located on the streets of Petržalka, a third have already been destroyed.

In mid-December, 15 new collection containers for electrical waste were installed in the largest Slovak housing estate. During that time, 7,000 kilograms of electrical waste were collected and, according to the operator, this amount could potentially grow to 40,000 kilograms of electrical waste collected per year. However, the successful new project on the streets of Petržalka was also greeted with hostility. Since the launch of the project, 5 containers have been damaged by unknown vandals. “In all cases, the offenders were able to remove the opening, causing significant damage not only to the opening itself, but also the entire container. We assume that the unknown offenders intend to steal and subsequently monetize the electrical waste. However, we do not rule out the possibility of vandalism. A criminal complaint has been filed at the relevant Regional Police Headquarters and the damage to the containers is currently being investigated,“ states Ronald Blaho from ASEKOL SK, which installed the said red-and-white containers.

The Petržalka district has also been made aware of this situation. “Collection containers for electrical waste, batteries and accumulators are intended for all citizens who want to help our environment. By damaging them, we harm ourselves in particular. We therefore urge the vandals to refrain from such actions and let others use this service,” states Daniela Vašková Kasáková, the head of the environmental department of the Bratislava-Petržalka district. Upon evaluating the situation, the competent authorities decided to remove them temporarily. “Since this service is provided free of charge for the local governments and their citizens, the high cost of repairing the destroyed containers forced us to take decisive action,” says Blaho, adding that they want to return the containers to Petržalka as soon as possible. “In cooperation with the district, we are looking for solutions that will allow us to return the collection containers back to the streets as soon as possible,” says Ronald Blaho from ASEKOL SK. The company currently operates a total of 270 collection containers for electrical waste. However, they have not witnessed damage to collection containers to such an extent in other parts of Slovakia.