490 kilos of waste. That's what we throw away. Per person, per year. That's eight billion kilos of waste per year in the Netherlands. All this waste needs to be processed, because once we throw something in the trash, it's not gone. Various systems have been devised to process all this waste, including pre- and post-separation. There's often confusion about what these terms mean and why one is used in one place and another in another. We'll explain the answer here.
What is bronze separation?
By source separation, we mean that you, as a resident, separate your waste at home. This way, many more waste types are separated than with post-separation using a machine. The raw materials you separate at home are highly recyclable. Besides source separation, the terms "home" and "pre-separation" are also used.
What is post-separation?
With post-separation, a machine in a factory separates residual waste. This preserves valuable materials that would otherwise have to be incinerated. The machine cannot separate all types of waste. Plastic packaging, metal packaging, and beverage cartons (PMD) in particular can be separated from residual waste during post-separation. Separating organic waste, paper, cardboard, glass packaging, and textiles afterward is not (yet) technically feasible.
What is better: separating at source or post-separating with a machine?
The best method depends on the circumstances and location. Some municipalities opt for source separation, others prefer post-separation, and still others opt for a combination of source and post-separation.
Machine-assisted waste separation is always a supplement to source separation. In low-rise buildings, source separation yields the highest-quality raw materials. It's also the cheapest way to separate waste. In apartment buildings, it's less convenient to separate waste at home. Machine-assisted waste separation is a better option there, allowing valuable raw materials such as plastic packaging, metal packaging, and beverage cartons to be recycled.
Why do municipalities choose a different method for collecting residual waste and PMD from flats, apartments, and upstairs apartments?
Separating waste at home using containers is very successful in low-rise buildings in our region. It produces the highest-quality raw materials. It's also the most cost-effective way to separate waste. In high-rise buildings, collecting PMD in collection containers is much more difficult. This is also a national trend.
By choosing post-separation of PMD from residual waste in high-rise buildings, we reduce the amount of expensive residual waste we need to incinerate. This allows us to recycle more. That's why post-separation of PMD is the best option for high-rise buildings.
Less residual waste through better separation
Some people think all the waste will eventually end up in one pile. That's not true. Our collection vehicles collect the same type of raw material each time. However, it's important that the waste is properly separated. Organic waste (vegetable, fruit, and garden waste, and food scraps), for example, should be separated from other types of waste as much as possible. Organic waste is generally wet and dirty, causing it to stick to other waste. This makes residual waste harder to sort during the post-separation process, and plastic is unnecessarily incinerated. By properly separating organic waste at the source, a drier residual waste stream is created, which allows us to achieve better post-separation results. Furthermore, organic waste isn't waste, but entirely raw material for compost or biogas, among other things! It's a shame to throw it in with the residual waste!
So, if different types of waste are mixed together, it can't be recycled properly and unfortunately, it still has to be disposed of as residual waste and incinerated. This is unfortunate, as it results in the loss of raw materials.
Tips to make waste separation easier
- Use separate bins for different types of waste, such as paper, organic waste, plastic, metal carton, and residual waste.
- Pay close attention to which waste belongs in which container. Are you unsure which bin a product or material belongs in? separation guide helps!
- Empty your packaging before throwing it away. This applies, for example, to PMD (plastic, metal cartons), where it's important that the packaging is empty for proper recycling.
- If you're supposed to separate PMD, you should put plastic packaging with it and not with your residual waste. This also applies to beverage cartons and metal packaging.
- Make sure your waste is properly separated before disposal. This way, we can make the most of our resources and reduce our impact on the environment.
Waste separation: important for the environment and your wallet
It's therefore important to separate waste properly. There are two ways to separate waste: source separation and post-separation. With source separation, you already separate different types of waste at home, while post-separation takes place in a factory. Both methods have advantages: post-separation is convenient, but with source separation, the raw materials are of higher quality, making them more recyclable. The most important thing is that we all recognize the importance of waste separation and do our best to do it properly. This way, together, we can contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable world.
Why is waste imported from Italy?
Italy lacks sufficient capacity to process residual waste. Following a major fire at Rome's largest waste processing facility in 2022, the new facility is not expected to be operational until 2026. Until then, residual waste needs to go somewhere. The Netherlands has a large incineration capacity due to its high percentage of separate waste collection and recycling (60%). This reduces the amount of residual waste that needs to be incinerated.
If Italy can't incinerate its residual waste, it must be landfilled, which is the most harmful to the environment. Landfills produce methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO2.
It is therefore crucial to properly separate and recycle waste and raw materials. By reducing residual waste and increasing reuse and recycling, we can use fewer natural resources. Once incinerated, waste cannot be reused. If any residual waste remains after separation, it must be incinerated. The costs of this will rise in the coming years due to factors such as processing costs and taxes. Reducing residual waste is therefore good for both the environment and your wallet.
Test your knowledge with the Waste Separation Quiz
Curious about what kind of waste separator you are? Start quiz And discover what you already know about waste separation. At the end of the quiz, you'll receive personalized advice to expand your knowledge. So what are you waiting for? Let's work together towards a cleaner and more sustainable future!