The Secret of the Black Bins: Results of Physical Analyses of Mixed Municipal Solid Waste in the Czech Republic in 2018 – 2022

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F46747885%3A24220%2F25%3A00014529" target="_blank" >RIV/46747885:24220/25:00014529 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.wasteforum.cz/cisla/WF_3_2025_p82.pdf" target="_blank" >https://www.wasteforum.cz/cisla/WF_3_2025_p82.pdf</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The Secret of the Black Bins: Results of Physical Analyses of Mixed Municipal Solid Waste in the Czech Republic in 2018 – 2022

Original language description

This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of mixed municipal solid waste (MMSW) based on material composition conducted in Czech municipalities between 2018 and 2022. The study identifies key trends in mixed municipal waste generation, evaluates the efficiency of waste separation at source, and highlights the potential for improving municipal waste management practices. The findings reveal that a significant proportion of MMSW consists of recyclable fractions (65.6%). The largest share is represented by biodegradable waste (33.6%), followed by plastics (8.8%), textiles (6.5%) and paper waste (6 %). Trend analysis revealed a gradual decline in composite packaging materials, plastics and textiles, whereas a slight uptick in biodegradable waste indicated limited availability of separate collection systems in municipalities. These findings emphasize the need for better waste sorting systems and educational initiatives. On the other hand it yet suggests that the existing fee structure and collection infrastructure do not sufficiently alter Household behaviour, resulting in substantial losses of valuable materials and energy. Wider adoption of pay-as-you-throw schemes, expansion of door-to-door biodegradable waste collection, and introduction of deposit-return systems for high-value packaging materials are therefore recommended. Finally, it is proposed that municipalities incorporate regular physical MMSW analyses into strategic planning to enable continuous assessment of the effectiveness of implemented measures.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

O - Miscellaneous

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10511 - Environmental sciences (social aspects to be 5.7)

Project

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Continuities

I - Institucionalni podpora na dlouhodoby koncepcni rozvoj vyzkumne organizace

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů