Sorting

This page provides clear instructions on how to use the waste collection area, sort your waste properly, and recycle efficiently. By sorting waste correctly and keeping the area clean, you help maintain a pleasant environment and keep waste management costs under control. The page also explains which types of waste belong in the collection area and which should be taken to other recycling points.

Why waste sorting matters

You help protect nature: Recycling reduces the use of natural resources and the amount of waste going to landfills.
You help manage waste-related costs: Waste handling is becoming more expensive. By sorting your waste correctly, you help keep costs reasonable.
You help keep the surroundings pleasant: A clean waste collection area prevents unpleasant odors and keeps pests away.

How to use the waste collection area properly

Using the waste collection area correctly makes recycling easier and keeps the space tidy. If you notice full bins or other issues, please contact the property maintenance company.

Instructions for using the waste collection area

Sort your waste at home. This makes it easier to place items directly into the correct bins in the waste collection area.
Keep the area clean. Waste and dirt attract rats and other pests. Always place trash bags inside the bins — never leave waste on the ground or overfill bins so that the lid won’t close.
Pack waste properly. Tie biowaste bags tightly, rinse recyclable containers if needed, and flatten large cardboard boxes.
Take bulky waste to separate collection points. Furniture, large electrical appliances, and other oversized items do not belong in the waste collection area. See where to take them.
Handle hazardous waste responsibly. Batteries, paints, medicines, and similar materials must not be placed in mixed waste. Take them to designated collection points. For example, batteries can be recycled at most grocery stores.

How to make sorting easy at home

With a well-organised sorting station, recycling can be easy in homes of all sizes. See below for practical solutions you can use in your kitchen and hallway.

Setting up a practical sorting station at home

Kitchen

The kitchen is where most recyclable waste is generated, so it's a good idea to have bins for at least the following waste types:

Biowaste
Plastic packaging
Cardboard
Mixed waste

In addition, you can use smaller containers for:

Glass waste – For example, glass jars and bottles if you often generate them in the kitchen.
Metal waste – For tin cans and other small metal items.
Batteries and small electronics – If you use battery-powered kitchen tools, it's helpful to have a small container for used batteries.

If there’s not enough space under the sink, sorting bins can be placed elsewhere in the kitchen. Lidded baskets, stackable boxes, or pedal bins work well along the kitchen wall. Clearly label the containers to make sorting easy for all family members.

Hallway

Sort newspapers and advertisements right after reading them: A basket or box with a lid helps keep newspapers and ad mail organized. You can also reduce paper waste by adding a "No Ads" sticker to your mailbox and choosing digital publications whenever possible.
Store glass and metal waste in a hallway cabinet: If your kitchen lacks space, consider placing containers for less frequently generated waste types in the hallway.

Sorting instructions

The waste collection areas of our properties have illustrated sorting guides provided by Helsinki Region Environmental Services Authority (HSY). These guides show you which container each type of waste belongs to after sorting it at home.

1. Bio waste

What belongs in biowaste: Food scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, fruit and vegetable peels, paper napkins.
What does not belong: Liquid waste, plastics, metals.
How to dispose of it: Use a biodegradable bag or wrap the waste in newspaper.

2. Cardboard

What belongs in cardboard waste: Milk cartons, cardboard boxes, pizza boxes (without food residue).
What does not belong: Dirty or wet cardboard.
How to dispose of it: Flatten large packages to save space in the bin.

3. Glass

What belongs in glass waste: Glass jars and bottles without caps.
What does not belong: Window glass, porcelain, ceramics.
How to dispose of it: Remove caps and corks, rinse if necessary.

4. Metal

What belongs in metal waste: Cans, tins, foil, beverage cans with no deposit.
What does not belong: Electrical appliances, batteries.
How to dispose of it: Rinse if necessary.

5. Plastic packaging

What belongs in plastic waste: Food packaging, plastic bags, empty and clean detergent bottles.
What does not belong: Dirty plastics, PVC plastics.
How to dispose of it: Wipe clean if needed and flatten. Do not nest containers. If using a plastic bag, leave it open when placing in the bin.

6. Paper

What belongs in paper waste: Newspapers, magazines, advertisements, envelopes without plastic windows.
What does not belong: Wet or dirty paper, gift wrapping paper, plastics.
How to dispose of it: Place loose or bundle together.

7. WEEE (Electrical and eectronic waste)

(Only for properties with WEEE collection)

What belongs in WEEE: Small electrical appliances like electric kettles, hair dryers, broken mobile phones.
What does not belong: Batteries, rechargeable batteries, large appliances (take to a separate collection point).
How to dispose of it: Remove any detachable parts before disposal.

8. Mixed waste

What belongs in mixed waste: Dirty packaging, hygiene products, vacuum cleaner bags.
What does not belong: Recyclable materials, hazardous waste.
How to dispose of it: Seal tightly in a plastic bag.

Hazardous waste and medicines - Take to a separate collection point

What belongs in hazardous waste: Batteries, paints, solvents, expired or unused medicines.
What does not belong: Regular household waste.
How to dispose of it: Take medicines to a pharmacy. Most household hazardous waste can be taken to collection points free of charge. Find your nearest location at kierrätys.info.