What is biowaste?
Biowaste is organic, biodegradable waste and is usually of plant or animal origin. Common types of household biowaste include:
- fruits and vegetables and their peels
- food scraps
- coffee grounds, filter papers and tea bags (as long as they contain no plastic or metal parts)
- bones and fish bones
- plants, flowers and small amounts of garden waste, such as from raking
- soft paper products such as paper towels, tissues and napkins
- cardboard egg cartons
- (solidified) fats in small amounts
These perhaps more surprising items also belong in biowaste:
- toothpicks and wooden disposable cutlery
- eggshells (there may be regional differences, so it’s best to check local guidelines)
- many types of baking paper (always check the packaging instructions)
Large amounts of fat and liquids do not belong in biowaste or down the drain. They can be disposed of, for example, in a sealed bag or cardboard container with mixed waste. Hazardous chemicals, paints or medicines must never be placed in biowaste. Non-biodegradable materials such as plastic, glass or metal do not belong in biowaste.
Why should biowaste be sorted?
Sorting biowaste reduces the amount of mixed waste and, in turn, the amount of waste sent to landfill. At landfills, biowaste produces large amounts of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. When biowaste is processed properly in composting or biogas facilities, harmful emissions are significantly reduced.
Biowaste can also be reused in many beneficial ways. Composting produces nutrient-rich soil, and biowaste can also be used to generate biogas. Biogas can be used to produce electricity and heat or further refined into fuel. It’s also worth remembering that the less mixed waste you generate, the lower your waste management fees will be.
Tips for sorting biowaste
Biowaste is generated in most households on a daily basis, especially during cooking. That’s why it’s a good idea to place at least one biowaste sorting point in or near the kitchen. The SINI Bin for organic waste is easy to place on a kitchen countertop, for example. Peels and other food preparation waste can be tipped straight into the bin located right next to your work area, and you can also make use of the bin lid while cooking.
If possible, allow biowaste to dry slightly before placing it in the bin. Biowaste is often quite moist, so you can place an empty cardboard egg carton at the bottom of the bin or biowaste bag to absorb excess moisture. The egg carton can be recycled together with the biowaste.
Empty the biowaste bin frequently to avoid unpleasant odours. The lid helps keep odours contained and the bin looking tidy. When it’s time to empty it, the entire bin can be easily carried to a collection point. Thanks to the carrying handle, transporting the bin is simple and convenient.
How do you empty the biowaste bin?
The bin for organic waste is designed so that its contents can be easily emptied directly into a compost or biowaste container. Biowaste sorting instructions vary depending on the waste collection area. These differences are due to different biowaste processing methods. For example, biowaste sent to biogas plants or composting facilities may allow slightly different materials than biowaste used for bioethanol production.
It is common for biowaste to be recommended for collection in a paper bag or wrapped in newspaper. In this case, you can empty the biowaste bin into a large paper bag or onto newspaper and wrap it into a parcel. In some areas, biowaste may also be placed in a biowaste bag or a regular plastic bag. In that case, the bin can easily be emptied into a large plastic bag.
If the outdoor biowaste container is lined with a protective bag, the biowaste can be emptied loose into the container. The biowaste bin features a practical carrying handle that makes it easy to transport for emptying. Always check your local waste management authority’s guidelines for biowaste sorting.