Electrical Waste / Elektryczne Śmieci
About this good practice
The City of Gdansk is one of the first participants in the 'Electrical Waste' system.
The introduction of the practice was prompted by the need expressed by the inhabitants of the City of Gdansk for an easier way of disposing of electro-waste than what the City had offered so far (i.e. a travelling collection system and a selective municipal waste collection point). This system takes into account the needs of the inhabitants and also provides a real opportunity to carry out effective WEEE collection from the City and Municipality of Gdansk. "Red containers", which are easily accessible to residents, are designed for the collection of small-sized electro-waste up to 50 cm in size. The use of the service of placing electro-waste in the "Red Containers" is free of charge for residents. On the other hand, the WEEE collection itself is organised entirely by a private operator of the "Electrical Waste" system, with whom the City has concluded a relevant agreement. The design of the containers allows for the safe collection of electro-waste and prevents unauthorised collection. The containers are equipped with special sensors informing the operator of how full they are, which allows them to optimise emptying. The main stakeholders and beneficiaries of this system are the residents of the city of Gdansk at the local level.
Resources needed
Resources contributing to the successful implementation of the programme include an experienced team, easily accessible and appropriately labelled WEEE collection containers.
Costs of implementing the programme from 2021: No public funds were involved in this good practice
Evidence of success
Since the start of this task, the system has attracted a lot of interest from the city's residents. This has been confirmed by the systematic increase in the number of containers distributed around Gdansk and the gradual increase in the amount of electro-waste collected in the 'Red containers'.
So far, 81.94 tonnes and 121.05 tonnes of electro-waste have been collected under the "Electrical Waste" system in 2021 and 2022, respectively. This illustrates increase in the amount of electro-waste.
Potential for learning or transfer
The prominence (distinctive colour) of the "Red containers" allows them to reach a larger group of residents. The increasing number of containers placed in the city of Gdansk shows the expansion of the system. This should be understood to mean that with the increase in the number of containers placed and their filling, the "Electrical Waste" System is reaching more and more of the city's inhabitants. An important role is played by the "Czyste Miasto Gdańsk" application, which, among other things. includes an interactive map informing residents of the location of the 'Red containers', thereby facilitating access to them.
Further information
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Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
