Plastic sorting in practice – common mistakes people make

Can yogurt lids be left attached? Does styrofoam belong in plastic packaging collection bin? Many people are also unsure about medicine packaging and black plastic packaging. 

Plastic sorting is easy once you remember one basic rule: plastic packaging collection bin is meant for plastic packaging, not other plastic items.

We gathered the most common examples and practical everyday tips in one place.

You can also find more sorting instructions here: Sumi sorting instructions

What can be placed in plastic packaging collection bin? 

Plastic packaging collection includes all plastic packaging that has been used as packaging for a product.

Examples of plastic packaging that can be placed in the collection bin: 

• yogurt, quark and cultured milk containers
• cold cut and cheese packaging
• ready meal packaging
• shampoo and soap bottles
• detergent and cleaning product bottles
• plastic bags  
• plastic wrapping from e-commerce deliveries
• bubble wrap and packaging fillers
• styrofoam packaging
• deposit-free plastic bottles
• plastic containers for medicines and vitamins
• black plastic packaging

Many people are surprised to learn that plastic medicine packaging and styrofoam also belong in plastic packaging collection bin. 

Plastic packaging does not need to be washed completely clean

A light rinse or wipe is enough for cleaning plastic packaging – there is no need to wash packaging completely clean. Once packaging is empty, clean, and dry, it can be placed in the collection container. 

Remove caps and lids

Caps, lids, and other easily removable parts should be separated before sorting. The reason is simple: they are often made from different types of plastic than packaging itself.

When parts are separated, sorting facilities can identify materials more accurately and recycling works more efficiently. Labels and stickers can be left on packaging.

Did you know that packaging should not be placed inside each other?

Plastic packaging should not be placed inside each other when sorting plastics at home. At recycling facilities, packaging is identified optically based on material.

Packaging should not be placed inside other packaging. Sorting equipment can only identify the material of the outermost package, which means the packaging inside may not be sorted correctly.

What not to put in plastic packaging collection bin?

Plastic packaging collection is only for packaging – not other plastic products. Toys, electronics and textiles, for example, do not belong in plastic packaging collection even if they are made of plastic.

Plastic packaging containing hazardous substances or their residues must also not be placed in collection. For example, motor oil, paint, and solvent packaging belong in hazardous waste collection. Such packaging should not be rinsed to avoid harmful substances entering the wastewater system.

For example, following plastic items do not belong in collection:

• toys
• large plastic household items, such as washing basins, sleds or watering cans
• small plastic household items, such as toothbrushes, clothespins or reusable lunch boxes
• single-use cutlery
• reusable shopping bags 
• plastic office supplies 

Remember these sorting tips

Here are most important tips for sorting plastic packaging:

• sort only plastic packaging
• lightly rinse or wipe packaging
• remove caps and lids – labels do not need to be removed
• do not place packaging inside each other
• dirty packaging or packaging containing hazardous substances does not belong in plastic packaging collection

When sorted correctly, plastic can be used again and again as raw material for new products.