Erilliskeräämistä

Erilliskeräämistä, or separate collection, is a waste management practice where different types of waste are collected and sorted individually rather than being mixed together. This approach is common in many countries, particularly in Europe, to facilitate recycling and composting processes. The primary goal of separate collection is to recover valuable materials from the waste stream, such as paper, glass, plastic, and organic matter, for reuse or reprocessing.

The implementation of separate collection typically involves providing residents and businesses with multiple containers, each designated for a specific waste category. Common separate collections include paper and cardboard, glass packaging, plastic packaging, metal packaging, bio-waste (food scraps and yard waste), and residual waste. In some municipalities, separate collection might also extend to hazardous waste, electronics, textiles, and batteries.

The benefits of separate collection are numerous. It significantly increases the amount of material that can be recycled, reducing the need for virgin resources and lowering the environmental impact associated with their extraction and processing. Composting of bio-waste returns nutrients to the soil, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers. Furthermore, by diverting recyclable and compostable materials from landfills, separate collection helps to extend the lifespan of existing landfill sites and reduces the generation of greenhouse gases associated with decomposition. The success of separate collection relies on public participation and efficient logistics for collection and processing.