Trash Guide Greece

How To Separate & Recycle Trash In Greece?

Greece has a tiny landfill space, so the islands are using various methods to eliminate extra waste. With a recently introduced initiative, the island of Tilos, for instance, has demonstrated remarkable achievement in reducing the quantity of waste they produce. Currently, 86% of waste generated by Greek residents is recycled. To strengthen the waste efforts toward a circular economy nationally, it only remains to convince the other Greek islands to adopt this model.

Why Is Greece So Good At Recycling?

In Greece, waste separation is very thorough and is taken seriously. Greeks themselves, as well as stringent political and state regulations, force the residents to take it seriously.

How Many Trash Bins Are Common In Greek Homes?

Usually, a Greek house has a single brown bin. Dry recyclables have a separate bin which is divided into four colors for easy identification. 

How Do You Separate Trash In A Greek Home?

Instead of doing it all at the end of the day, you should already sort your waste out side by side so it’s more convenient. Dumping it all in one place would lead to the waste man having a more difficult time and fines in certain areas.

In Greece, it is required for enterprises and households to separate their garbage according to the law. In general, Greek households should separate their trash as follows:

General waste is any non-recyclable household waste, such as used tissues and soiled paper. It should be disposed of in the black container provided by the municipality, either in a garbage bag or a rubbish bin.

Waste that can be recycled: This category includes items like paper, cardboard, plastic, metal, and glass. They should be sorted and put in a recycling container or bag provided by the municipality. The recycling emblem should be prominently displayed on the recycling container or bag.Food leftovers, garden debris, and other biodegradable waste are considered organic waste. It should be disposed of in a compost bin or pile to make compost for use in farming or gardening.

Plastic And Metal Containers, such as bottles, cans, and jars, should be rinsed before being separated from other trash. These things are recyclable.

Paper And Cardboard: Keep them apart from other trash. Newspapers, periodicals, cardboard boxes, and paper wrapping are a few examples.

Glass: Keep bottles and jars made of glass separate from other trash. Before putting them in the recycling container, be sure to rinse them.

Special Waste Disposal In Greece

There are specialized rules in Greece for the disposal of unusual or hazardous trash. Some waste kinds need special handling and disposal techniques to protect the environment and public health. Following are some instances of unique trash and how it is disposed of in Greece:

Old computers, televisions, and cell phones are examples of electronic garbage that cannot be disposed of with typical home trash. These should be delivered to certain recycling facilities or specified collection locations instead. Companies that collect electronic garbage from homes directly exist in some locations.

Batteries

Used batteries are not to be disposed of in the standard trash can because they are hazardous waste in Greece. Instead, they should be delivered to designated collection locations or recycling facilities. Customers can also use battery recycling bins accessible at supermarkets and other businesses.

Chemical Trash

Chemical waste requires specific handling and disposal techniques, including paint, insecticides, and cleaning agents. They shouldn’t be dumped in ordinary trash or down the drain. Many cities and towns have designated locations or occasions where chemical waste can be collected. It’s crucial to ask your local government for detailed instructions on how to dispose of chemical waste.

Syringes And Other Medical Supplies

should be disposed of correctly to stop the spread of illness and medical waste. Greece requires that medical waste be transported in suitable containers to specified collection locations or hospitals. Moreover, some pharmacies provide locations for medical waste pickup.

The Greek Waste Management Calendar

The Greek Waste Management Calendar provides the collection and disposal schedule for various waste types in Greece. It’s crucial to check with your local municipality for precise information because the calendar can change according to your region. Nonetheless, the following provides a general overview of the Greek waste management calendar:Regular waste: Depending on the municipality, regular home waste is collected once or twice weekly. It’s vital to verify the waste management calendar for your area because the pickup day may change.

Waste That Can Be Recycled

Materials that can be recycled, such as plastic, glass, and paper, are often collected on a different day from general rubbish. Depending on the region, this could happen once a week or once every other week. Also, some local governments offer special pickup boxes for every recyclable garbage category.

Green Waste

is often collected on a different day from regular rubbish, including leaves, branches, and other garden waste. Depending on the region, this can happen once or every other week. Also, some localities offer unique collecting boxes for green garbage.

Hazardous Waste

Ordinary waste trucks usually do not pick up hazardous waste, such as electronic waste, batteries, and chemical waste. Instead, there can be designated collection places or specific collection events. It’s crucial to contact your local government for detailed information on how to dispose of hazardous garbage.

Large appliances and other bulky items are frequently collected on a different day from the usual rubbish. Depending on the region, this can happen once or every other month. While some communities have set days for collection, others require residents to schedule a pickup for bulk waste.

Greek Recycling Fines

For incorrect recycling or trash disposal, Greece has sanctioned it. Depending on the municipality and the type of infraction, these fines may change. Following are a few instances of Greek fines for recycling infractions:

Penalties for combining recyclable and non-recyclable garbage Mixing recyclable rubbish with regular waste can result in a fine in many Greek municipalities. The fine can range in size, but it might be a sizeable sum. For instance, in the Municipality of Athens, there is a €60 fine for combining recyclable and non-recyclable rubbish. A fine may be assessed for improperly disposing of rubbish in a public space or by the side of the road. In several towns, the penalty for unauthorized dumping is typically €300 or higher. Residents in some places are compelled to utilize recycling containers for recyclable waste, and failure to do so may result in fines. A fine may be assessed for not using the recycling bins. For instance, failing to use recycling containers carries a €50 punishment in the Municipality of Thessaloniki. Fines for improperly disposing of hazardous trash: Certain disposal techniques are needed for hazardous garbage, which includes batteries and electronic waste. A fee may be imposed for improperly disposing of hazardous trash. 

Conclusion

Greece’s waste management system has advanced overall, although there is still an opportunity for advancement. Everyone must take responsibility for their garbage and abide by the municipal waste disposal and recycling regulations. Greece can continue to develop its waste management system and safeguard the environment for upcoming generations with ongoing effort and awareness.