The hierarchy captures the progression of a material or product through successive stages of waste management, and represents the latter part of the life-cycle for each product. The aim of the waste hierarchy is to extract the maximum practical benefits from products and to generate the minimum amount of waste. The proper application of the waste hierarchy can have several benefits. It can help prevent emissions of greenhouse gases, reduces pollutants, save energy, conserves resources, create jobs and stimulate the development of green technologies.
Recycling symbols can be further divided into two separate categories.
- 'Recyclable' symbols marking products made from specific materials that are suitable for recycling depending on whether there is a collection mechanism in place within the local community for those particular materials.
- 'Recycled' symbols designating products containing recycled materials.
The use of the terms 'recycled' and 'recyclable', among others, and the display of the symbols is governed by the Federal Trade Commission's Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims. These guidelines govern all environmental claims attached to and/or associated with products, including those described in labeling, advertising, and all forms of marketing.
The international standard for defining environmental claims on products or packaging can be found in ISO 14021: Environmental Labels and Declarations-Self-declared Environmental Claims.
-> http://www.earthodyssey.com/symbols.html
Recycling codes are used to identify the material from which an item is made, to facilitate easier recycling or other reprocessing. Such symbols have been defined for batteries, biomatter/organic material, glass, metals, paper, and plastics.
-> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recycling_codes
RECYCLING IN GERMANY
Germans are notorious for their recycling. This guide will go through what goes in each colored bin.
Pfand
If you buy a drink from a supermarket or convenience store, you have to pay a little extra for the container. That extra cost is called the pfand (deposit). The cost can vary between eight cents and 25 cents, depending on the material used. Glass containers usually cost eight cents, plastic costs either 15 or 25 cents and aluminum costs 25 cents. These containers can be returned to the store and the pfand will be returned in the form of a receipt that you take to the cashier. But if the label on a drink says “pfandfrei” (deposit free), there is no pfand to pay or get back.
Glass
For any glass container that does not have a pfand, such as wine bottles or pasta sauce, it goes into containers that can be found around where you live. The glass must go into separate containers for whichever color the glass is: clear, green or brown. The glass that goes into these large containers is called "Altglass", meaning 'old glass'.
Paper
Any clean paper products, including cardboard boxes, should be placed in bins labeled “Papier” (paper) or “Altpapier” (old paper). They are usually blue or have a blue lid. Stained paper, such as used pizza boxes, should not be placed in this bin.
Plastics, aluminum
Plastic and aluminum containers that cannot be collected for pfand should be placed in yellow bins. These include medication bottles, yogurt cups and spray cans. Sometimes the yellow bin is a yellow sack instead. The containers should be rinsed before they are put in the bin, so that the recycling process can be a little easier.
Bio-degradables
Leftover or uncooked food should be placed in bins marked “Biomüll” (biodegradable). These bins are typically brown or green. Used tea bags can also be disposed of here.
Old clothes
If there are some shirts or pants that are too big or too small laying around, there are containers in most cities that will give them to charities.
Large, unwanted household items
If there is a big chair or an old TV that is just gathering dust, it can be left outside on specific days of the year for Sperrmüll (bulky waste) pick up. Sometimes, a special appointment must be made in order for the waste to be picked up.
Hazardous waste
Do not throw batteries or paint in with the trash. There are parts of the battery, and other dangerous waste, that release poisonous gas if they are burned. Some grocery stores recycle batteries, while other potential hazardous wastes must be picked up by appointment or taken to proper facilities.
Non-recyclables
Anything small that cannot be recycled goes into the black bins labeled Restmüll (residual waste). Cigarettes and diapers are some examples of what belongs in these bins.
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