Household waste collection should be standardised country-wide

New findings reveal that there is a big difference in how household rubbish is being collected and sorted across Denmark

Maja Maria Christensen

Mar 12, 2019

There are almost as many ways to collect rubbish in Denmark as there are municipalities.

Environment and food minister Jakob Ellemann-Jensen wants to ensure that more rubbish is recycled by making sure it is collected and sorted the same way everywhere in the country.

For example, most municipalities sort plastic waste. But there are six different ways governing where and how you should discard it. Some municipalities have their own bins for plastic waste, while others put it in the same bin as metal waste.

Hard or soft – or both?
To add to the confusion, some municipalities only sort out hard plastic while others sort both soft and hard plastic waste.

People are also in doubt as to how to sort their rubbish depending on whether they are at home, at a summer house or visiting someone.

It is also annoying for the recycling companies who buy and sort the rubbish because they miss out on economies of scale.

New standards
Together with a number of interest organisations, the ministry is currently engaged in working out a set of common standards and sorting criteria for the municipalities.

“Our goal is that every municipality will embrace the new standards and implement them over the next few years. This would also be a great help to those companies who specialise in recycling waste and in this way, help the environment,” added Ellemann-Jensen.

Bin-men back
In other related news, garbage collectors striking since last Thursday in Copenhagen, Frederiksberg, Dragør and Tårnby over wages have returned to work today following an agreement.

TOP STORIES

New study: One in five Danes think same-sex sex is morally wrong

For the first time, researchers have mapped the extent of homophobic views in Denmark. Homophobic attitudes are more common among men, older people, people with restrictive views on other sexual matters, and people with ties to certain religions
Danish universities increase security checks on researchers from China, Russia, and Iran, reports DR

Danish universities, especially Aarhus University, now rigorously screen researchers from China, Russia, and Iran to prevent espionage, following recommendations and increasing concerns about security, reports DR
Danish Originals S7E5: Camilla Stærk

This week, Bonderup-born, London-trained, New York-based Danish designer Camilla Stærk talks about her work, anchored against a strong foundation of her Danish heritage combined with her fascination with Old Hollywood and film noir, and expressed in what she describes as the whole universe: of fashion, furniture, lighting, rugs, accessories
Young Copenhageners supply study grants by selling cocaine

In recent years, the spread of cocaine has accelerated. The drug is easily accessible and not only reserved for wealthy party heads. Copenhagen Police have just arrested ten young people and charged them with reselling cocaine
5 Mistakes I Made When I Moved to Denmark

Here are five mistakes I made that helped me understand that belonging isn’t a strategy—it’s a practice. This isn’t a story of struggle—it’s a reflection on growth, told through the lens of emotional intelligence.
Analysis shows that many students from Bangladesh are enrolled in Danish universities

Earlier this year, the Danish government changed the law on access for people from third world countries to the Danish labor market. Yet, there may still be a shortcut that goes through universities

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Summer Greetings from
The Connect Club
☀️⛱️😎

Career

“It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality
Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.
New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Jobs