Did you know that one half-full package can prevent an entire container of plastic packaging, metal packaging (cans) and beverage cartons (pmd) from being recycled? Then the packaging still ends up in the incinerator - along with valuable raw materials we want to reuse. That's a shame about the effort - and the raw materials. With the national campaign "As long as it goes empty! - from 25 August to 7 September, we are drawing extra attention to the proper disposal of packaging.
Only empty packaging belongs to pmd
Throw packaging in the PMD bin, but only if it is really empty. Only then can we recycle the material properly and re-use it for new products. Squeeze, scrape, slurp or empty - it doesn't matter how you do it, as long as it is empty. This way, you prevent waste and help us separate waste better.
Why this campaign?
Many people want to separate their waste properly, but it still sometimes goes wrong. Research shows that 1 in 3 Dutch people sometimes throw away packaging that is not yet empty. And only 55% know that packaging really has to be empty before it can be disposed of with PMD.
There is also confusion about what exactly belongs to pmd. As a result, properly recyclable packaging sometimes ends up with residual waste - and valuable raw materials are still lost.
More than half of people are unsure about plastic tubs with cream cheese, for example, crisp bags with an aluminium inner layer and aluminium trays from takeaway food, for example. Many people also think you have to rinse packaging first. This is unnecessary and actually wastes drinking water.
So the will is definitely there. Three quarters of people want to do it right and say they usually empty packaging. But with the right knowledge and small actions, together we can retain more value and burn less waste.
In doubt? Check the label or our pmd list
It is not always clear what can or cannot go with the pmd. In doubt? Take a look at the separation guide or on the label of the packaging. There you will increasingly find the discard guide logo - a handy aid to help you dispose of packaging correctly.
Want to know more about the national campaign? Check out www.verpact.nl/verpakkingleeg