Aalborg residents urged to improve waste sorting

Aalborg Municipality reports that 61% of waste in general refuse bags could have been recycled, with only 39% correctly classified as residual waste.

A new analysis of residual waste in the city shows that 26% of the contents in black bags is food waste, while 11% is plastic. Other misplaced items include food in original packaging, glass, paper, textiles, hazardous waste, and electronics.

Jan Nymark Rose Thaysen (V), the city’s councillor for Climate, Culture, and Health, said residents often struggle to identify the correct category for their waste. He emphasized that food waste and plastic require particular attention, as proper sorting turns food waste into energy and prevents unnecessary incineration of plastic.

To address the issue, the municipality plans to provide more targeted information to different citizen groups, improve access to sorting equipment, collaborate more closely with housing associations, and develop solutions tailored to various housing types.

Most residents who fail to sort food waste correctly cite lack of space or odour concerns as the primary reasons. Thaysen stressed that correct sorting is far more beneficial for the environment than saving on waste bags.