Garbage cans have to go

This is changing with immediate effect for waste disposal

From January 1, 2025, lightweight and metal packaging will be collected together. In order to keep to this schedule, the blue garbage cans in the city will be removed from November.(Bild: FOTOKERSCHI.AT / KERSCHBAUMMAYR)

No less than 451 tons of metal packaging were disposed of in the blue garbage cans in the city of Linz last year - but the last 717 pieces now have to go. From next week, they will be sent to "waste retirement".

While collections for waste paper, waste glass and scrap metal have been gradually expanded since the 1980s, the collection of metal packaging dates back to the early 1990s. At that time, the blue garbage can was introduced for this purpose.

From next week, all 717 remaining bins, which were filled with around 451 tons of metal packaging last year, will be sent to "waste retirement". Linz AG Abfall is starting the changeover under the title "Together instead of alone". "Metal and lightweight packaging can then simply be disposed of together in the yellow garbage can or yellow bag. This will simplify waste separation for the people of Linz," explains Linz AG Waste Division Manager Linda Peer.

No longer practical
Due to the nationwide introduction of a one-way deposit system for disposable plastic beverage bottles and aluminium beverage cans from 1 January 2025, the collection of the two packaging fractions will be standardized throughout Austria. According to experts, the blue garbage can collection system is no longer fit for purpose. Modern sorting systems and technology are now able to separate light and metal packaging for recycling.