‘Red containers’ for small-sized electro-waste / „Czerwone pojemniki” na „drobne” elektryczne śmieci
About this good practice
The introduction of the practice was prompted by the need expressed by the inhabitants of the City of Gdansk for an easier way of disposing of electro-waste than what the City had offered so far (i.e. a travelling collection system and a selective municipal waste collection point). The containers are equipped with special sensors informing the operator of how full they are, which allows them to optimise emptying.
Features of the new waste collection system:
-Specialisation for small-sized electro-waste: ‘red containers’ are exclusively for the collection of ‘minor’ electro-waste;
-Easy access: the ‘red containers’ are placed in easily accessible locations around the city, e.g. in housing estates, near shops or other everyday points of use.
Differences from previous, still existing WEEE collection solutions:
-Dedication to small-sized electro-waste: solutions in the form of PSZOKs (Selective Collection Points for Municipal Waste) or the collection of large equipment from households on request covered different types of electro-waste, but were less adapted to the collection of small electro-waste.
-Location: access to PSZOK (Municipal Separate Waste Collection Points) was limited by location (often far from where residents live) and by waste collection hours.
-Time and convenience: the previous system required scheduling a visit to the PSZOK or waiting for periodic electro-waste collections. ‘Red containers’ allow for quick and spontaneous disposal of small-sized electro-waste.
Resources needed
We do not have information on the costs of developing and installing the ‘Red Containers’. This data is the sole responsibility of MB Recycling, which owns the ‘Red Containers’ and is involved in the planning, implementation and management of this solution.
Evidence of success
So far, 81.94 tonnes and 121.05 tonnes of electro-waste have been collected under the "Electrical Waste" system in 2021 and 2022, respectively. This illustrates increase in the amount of electro-waste.
The difference in the amount of electro-waste collected before the introduction of the ‘Red Containers’ (2020) and after the introduction of the system (2021) was (year-on-year): +/- 60%.
Potential for learning or transfer
The prominence (distinctive colour) of the "Red containers" allows them to reach a larger group of residents. The increasing number of containers placed in the city of Gdansk shows the expansion of the system. This should be understood to mean that with the increase in the number of containers placed and their filling, the "Electrical Waste" System is reaching more and more of the city's inhabitants. An important role is played by the "Czyste Miasto Gdańsk" application, which, among other things. includes an interactive map informing residents of the location of the 'Red containers', thereby facilitating access to them.
Further information
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Good practice owner
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