"Convenient" but prohibited

Why Handing Over Trash to Collectors Can Be Expensive

Flyers are used to promote the collection service.(Bild: BAV Vöcklabruck, Krone KREATIV)

Many people are familiar with this: Using flyers, collectors—usually from abroad—hunt for old electronics or bicycles and advertise “convenient” pickup from your home. Not only is the illegal pickup a criminal offense, but so is providing the items for pickup.

Old electronics, car tires, and bicycles are on the “wish list” of foreign waste collection crews. This is also the case in the Vöcklabruck area, where residents received flyers urging them to have the sought-after items ready for pickup at an agreed-upon time. In this case, the Hungarian collectors would then pick up the items directly from residents’ homes.