Extra attention needed for batteries, electro and small hazardous waste - Cloned
Too often, we find batteries, electronic devices and Small Hazardous Waste in PMD bags. "It causes great concern in our sorting centres. They not only complicate recycling, but also pose a real danger to employees. Extra attention to this is therefore highly necessary," says Philippe Alen, Quality Manager of Fost Plus.
Today, consumers are allowed to sort much more packaging with PMD than before. "This is obviously a good thing, because it also allows us to recycle more. But there is a flip side to the coin. Some people think that all plastics are now allowed in the blue bag, and we are therefore seeing more and more items popping up that do not belong there at all: buckets and toys, but also a lot of small electronic devices such as discarded game consoles or old smartphones," says Philippe Alen.
Fire and explosion risk
"This is not as innocent as it seems. Lithium batteries in electronic devices in particular are a big problem. One wrong action can cause a huge flash fire - not a good idea in an environment where flammable material like PMD is stored. Small gas cylinders and gas capsules also create fire and explosion hazards."
We also see packaging from Small Hazardous Waste popping up (called Klein Gevaarlijk Afval or KGA in Dutch). When these still contain product residue, the toxic and hazardous substances inevitably end up on the sorting belts, where they can come into direct contact with employees.
"We already received a lot of worrying reports from the sorting centres," Alen said. "For instance, several fires have already been reported. So far, these have been relatively minor incidents without much seriousness, but there is a real danger of a major fire one day.
Batteries from smartphones, for example, can cause stabbing flames
Sensitising citizens
It goes without saying that we want to take action with Fost Plus. "There are hundreds of people working in the sorting centres, responsible for maintaining the machines and the quality of sorting. We want to do everything to ensure their safety. Everyone has the right to a safe workplace. Therefore, we call on all parties to pay extra attention to the problem."
Municipalities and intermunicipal companies can certainly help with this. "They can refer citizens to the right channels in their communications: for batteries, these are the Bebat collection points, with electrical and electronic appliances consumers can go to Recupel and Small Hazardous Waste is collected at the recycling park. In addition, collectors can also be extra attentive during their rounds. We understand that they cannot notice every small mis-sorted item, but bags containing large pieces of toys, electronic appliances, cables or gas cylinders should be refused."
Fost Plus's recent communication offer to intermunicipal waste companies (print and online) explains the danger of batteries and electro, among other things.
There are hundreds of people working in the sorting centres, responsible for maintaining the machines and the quality of sorting. We want to do everything to ensure their safety.
Philippe Alen, Quality Manager
How MIWA improved the quality of its underground PMD collection
Smart deposit: first pilot projects out of the starting blocks
Satisfactory survey Fost Plus: how can we do even better?
