Packaging and plastic bottles: should they be washed for separate collection? And do the caps need to be screwed on? (VIDEO)

Packaging and plastic bottles. Should they be washed before being disposed of in the separate collection? And do the caps have to be screwed on or thrown away individually? To answer Luca Stramare, Head of Research and Development of Corepla

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

We buy them, use them and throw them away. It is plastic packaging and bottles, which too often are considered more as waste than as a resource to be reused and recycled.

La collection plastic waste, on the other hand, is very important for preserving the environment and natural ecosystems.

Every single waste must be properly disposed of in order not to damage the ecosystem, even the packaging and plastic bottles.

Recycling them therefore means not only saving energy, but also safeguarding the planet's resources, to guarantee a more sustainable future for the new generations.

Fortunately, around 2015 tons of plastic packaging were collected in 900.000 (+ 8,4% compared to 2014).

This increase is a record that must be attributed above all to two factors: the South is finally taking off and even the “consolidated” areas such as the Veneto increase the collection data (from 21 to 23 kg per capita).

In the past year, 540.000 tons of plastic packaging waste from separate collection was recycled.

Read also: 10 PRACTICAL IDEAS FOR RECYCLING PLASTIC BOTTLES

Ma what are the rules for making a correct separate collection of packaging and plastic bottles?

They must be washed before being thrown away in the trash? And the caps must be screwed on or should they be thrown away individually?

To answer these doubts, which many of our readers have often submitted to us, is Luca Stramare, Head of Research and Development at Corepla.

In short, you understand: all plastic packaging given to the collection service must be emptied and must not show residues too obvious of the content.

However, it is not essential to wash them thoroughly.

The caps of the containers, on the other hand, can follow in the separate collection the container they serve to seal, but must be absolutely screwed.

Roberta Ragni