Draconian measure

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First you get a "red card", then you have to pay: In future, the city of Wels in Upper Austria wants to penalize incorrect disposal in the organic waste garbage can because incidents have increased in recent weeks. In the event of repeated cases, the free garbage can will even be confiscated. 

Wels wants to punish those households that dump the wrong waste in the organic waste garbage can. Plastic, metal, glass, diapers, building rubble, cigarette butts - the number of so-called incorrect bins has increased in recent weeks. This is why the "campaign is now being launched", as city councillor Thomas Rammerstorfer (Greens), responsible for waste management, announced in a press release on Thursday. The organic waste garbage can could also be confiscated in the event of repeated cases.

The incorrect waste can only be sorted from the biogenic material with considerable additional effort and subsequently makes the composting process more difficult, he said. However, as this is exactly what has happened in recent months, the city will now take action.

"Colleagues will take a look"
"Colleagues on the waste collection vehicle will check" whether the wrong contents are included, said waste officer Lukas Aitzetmüller. This will be documented with photos. A red card will be placed on the garbage can the first time it is incorrectly thrown away. Owners can then hand in the wrong materials and the rest will be taken away the next time the organic waste bin is emptied.

Free organic waste garbage can to be withdrawn
"In the event of repeated offenses, the organic waste bin will only be emptied by the residual waste tour for an additional charge," says the plan. This would cost between ten and twelve euros. If this type of soiling continues, the city of Wels will then withdraw the free organic waste garbage can. Rammerstorfer also wants to educate the population even more about what can and cannot be put in the organic waste garbage can. However, consequences must also be drawn in individual cases.