In Greece, recycling primarily involves separating your waste, especially packaging materials and containers, from general household rubbish and utilizing designated collection bins for different waste streams.
The country's main recycling system relies on a network of blue bins provided by the Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation (HERRCO), which are found in most municipalities. Beyond these, specific collection points exist for other recyclable materials.
The Blue Bin System: Your Main Recycling Hub
The ubiquitous blue bins across Greece are designed for the collection of packaging waste. To ensure effective recycling, proper preparation of materials is crucial.
What Goes in the Blue Bins?
The blue bins are primarily for packaging materials, including:
- Plastic packaging: This includes plastic bottles (e.g., water, soda, milk), plastic containers (e.g., yogurt, detergent), and plastic caps.
- Paper and cardboard: Cardboard boxes (e.g., cereal, packaging), paper bags, newspapers, magazines, and other paper packaging.
- Metal packaging: Aluminum cans (e.g., soda, beer), tin cans (e.g., food, pet food), and aluminum foil (cleaned).
How to Prepare Items for the Blue Bin
Following these steps ensures your efforts contribute effectively to the recycling process:
- Separate Waste: Always separate packaging materials and containers from the rest of your general household waste.
- Cleanliness is Key: Make sure all packaging is clean and free of food residue. A quick rinse is often enough.
- Caps On Bottles: For plastic bottles, you should leave the caps on. Both the caps and the bottles can go together into the blue bin.
- Flatten Cartons: To save space in the bins and on collection trucks, flatten cartons and boxes.
- Remove Non-Recyclables: Remember to remove any sticky tape from cartons, as it cannot be recycled with the cardboard.
- No Bags: Do not put your recyclable packaging into plastic bags. Place items loosely in the blue bin. Bags can cause issues with sorting machinery at recycling facilities.
What Doesn't Go in the Blue Bins?
It's equally important to know what not to place in the blue bins, as contamination can hinder the recycling process:
- Glass: Glass bottles and jars have their own dedicated collection bins (often green or bell-shaped).
- Organic Waste: Food scraps, garden waste, etc.
- Batteries: Require special collection points.
- Electronic Waste (WEEE): Appliances, computers, etc., have separate collection schemes.
- Clothes and Textiles: Dedicated bins exist in many areas.
- General Household Waste: Non-recyclable trash.
- Soiled Paper: Paper contaminated with food, grease (e.g., greasy pizza boxes), or other liquids.
- Ceramics/Porcelain: Broken plates, cups, etc.
- Construction Waste: Debris from renovations.
Other Recycling Streams in Greece
Beyond the blue bins, Greece offers various collection points for specific materials:
- Glass: Look for green bell-shaped bins or similar dedicated glass collection containers in your municipality. These are exclusively for glass bottles and jars.
- Batteries: Used batteries can be dropped off at designated collection points found in most supermarkets, electronics stores, and public buildings. Look for bins provided by AFIS.
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE): Large appliances, small electronics, and lamps can be taken to municipal collection centers, specific electronics stores, or sometimes picked up by municipal services for proper recycling through companies like Electrocycle.
- Clothing and Textiles: Many municipalities have purple or red bins specifically for used clothing, shoes, and other textiles, which are then sorted for reuse or recycling.
- Cooking Oil: Some larger municipalities and supermarkets offer collection points for used cooking oil, which can be converted into biodiesel.
- Medicines: Expired or unused medicines should be returned to pharmacies for safe disposal.
Practical Tips for Effective Recycling
To maximize your positive impact on recycling in Greece:
- Know Your Local Rules: While general guidelines apply, always check your local municipality's website or waste management department for specific instructions and locations of various recycling bins.
- Rinse Briefly: A quick rinse helps prevent odors and keeps your recycling clean, making it more valuable for processing.
- Read Labels: Packaging often has recycling symbols (e.g., Mobius loop with a number), which can guide you.
- Reduce First: The most effective "recycling" is to reduce consumption and reuse items whenever possible.
Quick Reference Table: Recycling in Greece
| Material Type | Where to Recycle | Preparation Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic Packaging | Blue Bins | Clean, leave caps on bottles, flatten containers if possible, place loosely (not in bags). |
| Paper & Cardboard | Blue Bins | Clean, flatten boxes, remove sticky tape and non-paper elements (e.g., plastic windows), place loosely. |
| Metal Packaging | Blue Bins | Clean, flatten cans if possible, place loosely. |
| Glass | Green or Bell-Shaped Bins | Clean, remove caps/lids (dispose with general waste or other recycling if applicable), place loosely. |
| Batteries | Supermarkets, Electronics Stores, Public Buildings (AFIS bins) | Place in designated collection bins. |
| Electronics (WEEE) | Municipal Collection Centers, Electronics Stores | Check local municipality for collection points or services. |
| Clothes/Textiles | Purple/Red Textile Bins | Clean, dry, and bagged (if required by the specific bin, otherwise loose). |
| Used Cooking Oil | Designated Collection Points (municipalities, supermarkets) | Collect in sealed containers. |
| Medicines | Pharmacies | Return expired or unused medicines for proper disposal. |
For more detailed information, you can consult official resources such as the Hellenic Recovery Recycling Corporation (HERRCO) or your local municipal authority's website.
