CLEAN CITY, CLEAN FUTURE: WASTE MANAGEMENT IN VILLACH
The city of Villach has been actively involved in waste management and environmental protection for many years. To be as sustainable as possible and keep the city clean, proper waste separation is not the only focus of Villach's waste management; waste prevention and the involvement of all citizens also plays a significant role. This blog post provides a glimpse into Villach's waste management system and how citizens can actively participate in waste separation and waste reduction.
WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE CITY OF VILLACH
In Villach, as well as all of Austria, households are legally required to participate in public waste disposal. This means that every household must apply for waste disposal with the responsible municipality or city council. Typically, this is done through property owners, tenants, or residential complex managers.
The Waste Management Office (“Abfallwirtschaft) of the city of Villach, located at Drauwinkelstraße 2, is the central point of contact for all questions related to waste disposal. A vital partner for the city of Villach is the team of Villacher Saubermacher GmbH & Co KG, which makes a significant contribution to efficient waste disposal. The city of Villach provides waste bins for each household, and a fee for supply and disposal is required. The fee is calculated separately for home composting and organic waste collection, based on the type and size of the waste container. Typically, households have access to a black residual waste bin, a red bin - called “Rote Tonne” - for old paper and paper packaging, and a yellow bag - known as “Gelber Sack” - for plastic and metal packaging.
WASTE SEPARATION MADE EASY
Properly disposing of waste is important because it not only saves valuable energy and resources but also helps conserve resources. The more carefully waste is collected and separated, the better it can be recycled. A detailed overview of which waste goes into which bin is provided in the following infographic:
The city of Villach also utilizes an innovative waste app that allows citizens to never forget household waste, yellow bag, and red bin collection dates. The app is available for free on iPhone and Android devices and provides an individual waste schedule, a waste map, and useful information on waste disposal. In addition to the app, collection dates can be viewed online or through waste collection schedules.
Collection dates are color-coded as follows:
- Red for the "Rote Tonne"
- Yellow for the "Gelber Sack"
- Green for the collection of Christmas trees after the holiday season
The bins and Christmas trees should be placed at the roadside the evening before collection.
RECYCLING CENTERS FOR VILLACH CITY AREA
In Drauwinkelstraße, there is a large recycling center - the Altstoffsammelzentrum (ASZ) - of the city, serving as the central point for disposing of recyclable materials. From Monday to Friday, between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., households can drop off waste in household quantities. Citizens can drive to the central disposal ramp with their car, including a trailer, to dispose of their waste according to the separation system. Many types of waste, such as glass, textiles, paper, electrical appliances, and hazardous materials (batteries, used oil, medications, etc.), are accepted free of charge from residents with their primary residence in the city of Villach. A fee of €4.50 per delivery applies to bulky waste (e.g., carpets, furniture, mattresses, up to 2 cubic meters), construction waste (up to 4 buckets), household waste bags, and tree trimmings. Larger quantities of construction waste must be delivered directly to the Villacher Saubermacher recycling center at the second entrance of Drauwinkelstraße.
Villach also has around 140 recycling centers for glass packaging throughout the city area. Over 60 of these centers also feature a large clothing collection bin (“große Kleiderklappe”) for collecting old clothes. These collection points are crucial for recycling valuable raw materials and protecting the environment. Furthermore, the collection of old clothes is organized by SBK Soziale Betriebe Kärnten GmbH and creates job opportunities.
SMART WASTE COLLECTION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The city of Villach employs innovative technology to enhance waste separation. In a pilot project, a smart recycling scanner analyzes the quality of waste separation in 500 household waste containers from participating households and provides direct feedback and tips to citizens through SMS and the waste app. This is aimed at optimizing waste disposal and conserving resources.
REUSE - REUSE INSTEAD OF WASTE
The city of Villach has launched a Re-Use project that promotes the reuse of used products and electrical appliances. Functional electrical appliances can be dropped off at the recycling center instead of being thrown away, and after inspection and potential repairs, they are provided at low cost to individuals with lower incomes. Other still usable goods, such as shoes, dishes, books, etc., can be placed in the "Re-Use Boxes" or "Re-Use Bags" available at the recycling center or partner businesses. This project, awarded the e5-Krone in 2020, not only reduces waste but also supports social organizations like ARGE Sozial Villach and Caritas.
REPAIR CAFÉ - REPAIR TOGETHER, ACT SUSTAINABLY
The Repair Café Villach invites citizens to repair broken items, saving money and protecting the environment. Knowledgeable helpers are available to perform repairs. This sustainable concept benefits not only the environment but also the community. You can find the schedule of events here.
The city of Villach demonstrates that a clean city and environmental protection can go hand in hand. Thanks to innovative solutions, engaged citizens, and a clear waste strategy, Villach sets a positive example. Join in and contribute to protecting our environment and keeping our city clean!