Collection Systems in Czechia ๐จ๐ฟ
About
Czechia operates a container-based separation system, supported by extensive municipal collection yards. Separation obligations continue to expand, including mandatory textile collection from 2025.
Collection Streams
Packaging Recycling
What goes in:
- Plastics (Yellow): Plastic packaging, PET bottles (flattened), films, foils
- Paper & Cardboard (Blue): Clean packaging paper and cardboard
- Glass (Green / White): Bottles and jars only; colour separation may apply
- Metals: Either separate containers or combined with plastics, depending on municipality
- Beverage Cartons: Often collected with plastics or in dedicated containers
What does NOT go in:
- Non-packaging waste does not belong in these streams
Notes:
- Container-based separation system
- Metal collection varies by municipality - may be separate or combined with plastics
- Color separation may apply for glass
Electrical & Electronic Waste (WEEE)
What goes in:
- Accepted at collection yards, red containers, or via retailer take-back
- Includes appliances, electronics, tools, and lamps
What does NOT go in:
- Regular household bins
Notes:
- Batteries must be removed and recycled separately
- Collection via collection yards, red containers, or retailer take-back
Batteries & Accumulators
What goes in:
- Portable batteries collected via public collection boxes and hazardous-waste routes
- Larger batteries (e-bike, car) must be taken to specialised facilities
What does NOT go in:
- Regular household bins
Notes:
- Portable batteries collected via public collection boxes
- Larger batteries (e-bike, car) must be taken to specialised facilities
Textiles (Mandatory from 2025)
What goes in:
- Clean, dry clothing, bedding, and household textiles
What does NOT go in:
- Contaminated or wet textiles are excluded
Notes:
- Collected via textile containers or drop-off points
- Mandatory collection from 2025
- Contaminated or wet textiles are excluded
Residual Waste (SKO)
What goes in:
- Non-recyclable household waste
- Includes heavily soiled materials, hygiene waste, ceramics, and composite items
What does NOT go in:
- Recyclable materials
- Hazardous waste
Notes:
- SKO stands for 'smฤsnรฝ komunรกlnรญ odpad' (mixed municipal waste)
- Recycling contamination is a common enforcement issue
Bio-waste
What goes in:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, plant waste
- Where available: brown bins for kitchen and garden organics
What does NOT go in:
- Meat and dairy acceptance varies by municipality
Notes:
- Brown bins for kitchen and garden organics where available
- Meat and dairy acceptance varies by municipality
- Check local rules for specific acceptance criteria
Garden Waste
What goes in:
- Leaves, grass, branches, and trimmings
What does NOT go in:
- Kitchen food waste (unless combined with bio-waste)
Notes:
- Often collected separately from kitchen bio-waste or via collection yards
- Leaves, grass, branches, and trimmings
Hazardous Waste
What goes in:
- Paints, solvents, chemicals, pesticides, oils, and similar substances
What does NOT go in:
- Never placed in household bins
Notes:
- Accepted only via designated hazardous-waste collection
- Never placed in household bins
Construction & Bulky Waste
What goes in:
- Rubble, ceramics, plaster, and tiles must be taken to collection yards
- Furniture and mattresses classified as bulky waste
What does NOT go in:
- Regular household bins
Notes:
- Must be taken to collection yards
- Disposal limits and fees may apply
Used Cooking Oils & Fats
What goes in:
- Collected via dedicated oil containers
- Oils must be cooled, poured into sealed PET bottles, and placed in oil containers
What does NOT go in:
- Motor oil is strictly prohibited
Notes:
- Oils must be cooled, poured into sealed PET bottles, and placed in oil containers
- Motor oil is strictly prohibited
What Gets Collected
Accepted Items
- โข Packaging materials (varies by stream)
- โข Empty and clean containers
- โข Material-specific items
Not Accepted
- โข Non-packaging items
- โข Contaminated materials
- โข Hazardous containers with contents
Regional Variations
Collection systems in Czechia may vary by municipality or region. Local sorting capabilities, collection infrastructure, and acceptance criteria can differ significantly even within the same country.
Sources
Collection system information is based on national and regional guidelines. For the most current and location-specific information, consult local waste management authorities.