The art of waste separation in Austria

Saša Poljak Istenič researched waste separation in Austria in February. As her interlocutors say, the waste separation differ from country to country. In Klagenfurt, the yellow container is intended only for tetrapacks, cans and plastic bottles. Yogurt pots? Black container. Cellophane, silver foil, other covers? Also a black container. Meat packaging? Black container as well. Containers for packaging, mixed waste in old paper are most often placed in front of the houses or in apartment buildings, however, to find a glass container one must almost become a detective. Without directions by the locals, a non-local hardly finds them.

More about waste collecting, including instructions for waste separation, here: https://www.klagenfurt.at/_Resources/Persistent/5ff05d83ce1546770828856cf3b91c85eda7305f/ES%20-%20Klagenfurt%20trennt.pdf.

Institutions are also aware of the problem of waste. Thus, at the Alps-Adriatic University of Klagenfurt (Alpen-Adria Universität Klagenfurt), a Final Trashination project was prepared last year, in which plastic waste was collected in the glass "walls" for two weeks. These improvised exhibition containers were erected in the entrance hall of the university in order to make students, professors, other personnel and visitors aware of the amount of waste produced in two weeks. However, the University does not only raise awareness, but also undertakes concrete measures to diminish the amount of waste: in the restrooms, requests for a limited use of paper towels are fixed above the faucets, and in the cafe they are happy to serve you coffee in a cup you bring with you.