Vienna regularly tops rankings for the best cities to live in the world. The city, known for its culture and art, impresses with its attitude towards environmental protection.
Recycling
Recycling is part of Austrian culture, but the many different types of waste containers are sometimes confusing for newcomers and foreigners.
Each building should have its own container for organic and non-recyclable waste. Every year in Vienna alone, around 100,000 tons of recyclable organic material is collected in over 80,000 containers and processed into compost.
In Austria, recycling is divided into organic waste, waste paper and plastic packaging.
The glass is collected in separate containers – for transparent and colored glass. Over 2,500 public places in the city have such containers and are usually located within walking distance for most residents. Citizens are encouraged to dispose of their bottles and jars between 6AM and 10PM as the noise may disturb other residents.
Plastic waste is collected in the yellow containers. Metal packaging is also collected separately and must be sorted. Paper is collected in red containers.
In Vienna, the green bins are for fruit and vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds and tea bags, as well as garden waste. Like Brussels, bones and eggshells should be kept out of the way here. They should not be in a plastic bag, but thrown loosely in the container.
There is a community drop-off center where batteries, medications and more are dropped off.
Anything that cannot be recycled or specially treated goes into the black bins for residual waste. In Austria, electric garbage trucks collect the waste.
No longer needed small furniture, electrical appliances, clothes in good condition, toys and other items can be brought to a purpose-built reuse shop run by recycling company 48er.
Clothes are also collected by charitable organizations that support the homeless, socially disadvantaged or refugees.
Recycling is paid for through council tax in each area. In order to encourage recycling among the city’s residents, the municipality of Vienna periodically puts information materials and reusable bags in the mailboxes, with which the waste can be easily brought to the nearest containers.
The Results
According to an Eurobarometer survey, 96% of Austrians claim to separate their general waste from plastic packaging. Additionally, 99% say they take steps to separate paper from other waste. In total, households in Austria sort more than a million tons of recyclable materials every year.
In Austria, there is a complete ban on certain types of waste being landfilled. This includes any product that has a total organic carbon emission rate above 5%. This effectively prevents any packaging from entering the soil. As of January 1, 2020, there is also a ban on plastic bags in Austria.
Waste incineration plant in the city
Viennese power plants not only provide clean energy, but is also an emblem of the city with their artistic and innovative design. The Spittelau waste incineration plant is distinguished by its colorful facade constructions – the work of the eco-architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Vienna’s waste, recycling and disposal system as well as environmentally friendly production of heat and hot water contribute to the high quality of life in this city. In the Danube plant in Freudenau, electricity is produced from water energy.
