District Freistadt: Despite new pledge system, waste separation remains strong

District Freistadt: Despite new pledge system, waste separation remains strong

FREISTADT district. The Freistadt district will continue to be characterized as a "Gallic village" in relation to waste separation, even if on January 1, 2025, fundamental changes in the system for collecting light packaging and the introduction of a disposable deposit system will result.

Franz Xaver Hölzl, chairman of the district waste association (BAV) Freistadt and Mayor of Weitersfelden, commented critically about the new Austria -wide system. He emphasizes that the existing garbage brown system and the large number of waste collection centers in the Freistadt district enable a much higher recycling rate and keep the garbage fees low. "The new concept with the disposal in the yellow sack represents a step backwards for our exemplary system," he added.

new pledge system from 2025

From 2025, a pledge system for disposable drink packaging made of plastic and metal is introduced, with 25 cents being collected as a deposit for each packaging. Hölzl described this as an advantage for the environment because it could end up less rubbish in nature. Nevertheless, the BAV expect financial losses of around 100,000 euros a year because there is no return of deposit packaging in the waste collection centers. Citizens cannot use a deposit there.

In the past year and a half years and a half, the BAV has conducted intensive negotiations to largely maintain the proven system of waste separation in Freistadt. Hölzl emphasizes that metal packaging and many light packaging made of plastic can still voluntarily be released into the old -fashioned collection centers. "We want as few packaging as possible end up in the yellow sack that could possibly also be collected in the ASZ," said Hölzl and thus emphasized the environmentally friendly philosophy of the district. Plastic packaging that is not subject to deposit must be collected in the yellow sack.

proven system under pressure

It remains to be seen how the changes to waste management in the Freistadt district will affect. The BAV faces a challenge, since the new system on the one hand brings advantages for the environment, but on the other hand, however, the proven structures that have been in Freistadt for decades could endanger. It will be important for citizens to find out more about the new regulations and to adapt their disposal habits if necessary.

A comprehensive consideration of the changes and their effects on the waste management in the district is to be found.