Common Mistakes in Waste Sorting

Today, waste sorting isn’t just a step toward conscious consumption and environmental care — it’s a real necessity.

Trash is a resource. For instance, a cereal box can be recycled up to 7 times. Sixty kilograms of paper saves one tree.

In Ukraine, only about 3% of waste is recycled, compared to around 60% in Europe. Germany leads with 67%.

When waste isn’t sorted, recyclables often end up in landfills or incinerators, where they pollute the environment and are lost as valuable materials.

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How to Sort Waste Properly

Start simple — separate into two basic categories:

• Recyclables: paper, glass, metal, plastic, clothing.

• Mixed waste: food leftovers, dirty packaging, personal hygiene items.

Hazardous waste (batteries, electronics, bulbs, mercury thermometers, expired medications) must be disposed of separately.

Most cities have labeled bins for glass, paper, and plastic. But home sorting still matters most.

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Common Waste Sorting Mistakes

1. Mixing non-recyclables into recycling bins ruins the entire batch.

2. Throwing out trash in plastic bags — bags can catch fire during processing.

3. Not all plastic is recyclable — toothbrushes, tubes, shrink-wrapped bottles aren’t accepted. Bottle caps must be removed and collected separately.

4. Dirty recyclables — food residue makes items unrecyclable. Always rinse and dry.

5. Wrong types of paper — egg cartons, wallpaper, photo paper, receipts, coffee cups, and tissues go in general waste.

6. Incorrect glass — mirrors, bulbs, ceramics, perfume bottles, and broken glass are not recyclable.

7. Dangerous metal waste — aerosol cans (e.g., hairspray, deodorants) can explode and must be handled separately.