Erilliskerättyjä

Erilliskerättyjä is a Finnish term that translates to "separately collected" or "individually collected." It refers to a system where different types of waste are collected and sorted at their source, typically by households and businesses, before being transported to processing facilities. This contrasts with mixed waste collection, where all refuse is combined into a single bin.

The primary goal of erilliskerättyjä is to improve recycling rates and facilitate the proper treatment of various waste streams. By separating materials like paper, cardboard, glass, metal, plastic, and organic waste, it becomes easier to recover valuable resources and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills or incinerators. This also allows for specialized recycling processes for each material type, leading to higher quality recycled products.

Commonly separated categories in Finland include paper, cardboard, glass packaging, metal packaging, plastic packaging, food waste (biojäte), and sometimes smaller electrical appliances or batteries. Municipalities often provide specific collection bins or bags for these different fractions. The success of erilliskerättyjä relies on public participation and clear guidelines on what materials belong in each collection. It is a key component of Finland's waste management strategy, aiming for a circular economy where resources are reused and waste is minimized.