Austrians are satisfied with the new waste collection system

Since January 1, 2025, plastic and metal packaging have been collected together nationwide in the Yellow Bin or Yellow Bag in Austria. The majority of people (66 percent) in Austria find this circumstance very good or good, according to a survey. People especially appreciate that the unified collection is so simple. This, in turn, led to a three percent increase in collection from 2024 to 2025, as announced by Altstoff Recycling Austria AG on the Monday before Christmas.

Predominantly Positive Feedback

Currently, according to ARA, around 2.2 million households are connected to the collection, more than half of all households in Austria. Despite changes, the separate collection of packaging still does not represent an additional time burden for 71 percent of respondents. This is shown by a survey conducted by the market research institute IMAS on behalf of ARA. The latest sorting technologies paved the way for the simplified collection system - and Austrians rate the changeover quite positively. Two-thirds of Austrians see it as very good or good, only eight percent cannot get used to it at all.

Plastic Deposit Leads to 10 Percent Less Waste

Parallel to the collection changeover, a deposit system for single-use beverage packaging made of plastic and metal was introduced in 2025. Plastic beverage bottles and cans are still part of the cycle as before, but now take a different path back. A current ARA projection is available: With regard to the total amount, the single-use deposit in the transition year 2025 has so far led to a reduction of around ten percent in packaging in the Yellow Bin or Yellow Bag. While it was 231,000 tons in 2024, it is projected to be 210,000 tons in 2025.

In the year-on-year comparison of 2024 and 2025, a collection increase of around three percent was achieved for plastic and metal packaging that are not subject to the single-use deposit - which is attributed to the high commitment of the people. "Although there were major changes in the collection system in 2025, Austrians remain highly committed to waste separation," emphasized ARA board spokesperson Harald Hauke.

Styria and Vorarlberg Particularly Motivated

According to him, 91 percent of people find the idea of separate packaging collection very good or good. 28 percent can imagine separating their waste even more or more precisely in the future. "These are decisive factors for us. Because only if everyone participates can the circular economy be advanced - to protect the environment, conserve resources, and strengthen Austria's raw material security," said Hauke. Especially people in Styria (33 percent), Vienna, and Vorarlberg (31 percent each) are particularly motivated to separate even more and more precisely in the future.

(APA/Red)

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