Sammelsystems

Sammelsystems are structured approaches for collecting materials for reuse, recycling or proper disposal in environmental policy. They encompass collection streams, infrastructure such as containers and drop-off points, and organizational and financial arrangements that direct waste streams from households, businesses, and institutions to sorting facilities.

Common forms include municipal or community-based collection schemes for packaging and household waste; deposit-return systems for beverage containers; and specialized take-back programs for electronic devices, batteries, and medicines. In many countries, producers finance these systems through fees under extended producer responsibility schemes; some systems are operated publicly by municipalities.

Operation involves materials being sorted, processed, and sent to recycling or energy recovery facilities. Sorting is by material type; quality control reduces contamination; data collection tracks performance.

Benefits include higher recycling rates, resource conservation, reduced landfill use, and promotion of responsible consumption. Challenges include contamination, incomplete coverage, cross-border leakage, cost burden on producers and consumers, administrative complexity, and enforcement.

Global context: European policies encourage harmonized collection systems, with directives such as WEEE and packaging waste directives shaping national schemes; implementations vary by country.