After public protest:

Controversial “waste center” approved by authorities

An estimated 60 million returnable bottles and cans are to be sorted and pressed here for transportation.

(Bild: Daum Hubert)

The Landeck district authority has given the green light for the sorting, counting and pressing center for returnable bottles and aluminium cans in the Starkenbach industrial estate in Schönwies. Around 60 million returnable containers are to be delivered from Tyrol and Vorarlberg for further processing every year.

Since January 1, a deposit has been collected on non-returnable plastic bottles and aluminum cans in order to recycle them. Deposit containers from smaller retailers that are not processed using deposit machines, such as those in supermarkets, are taken back in bags by the drinks retailer and then transported to a collection, counting and pressing center. According to operator EWP Recycling GmbH, the center for Tyrol and Vorarlberg was to be built in the Starkenbach industrial estate in Schönwies. More than 400 citizens have signed a petition against this. They fear noise and stench. The operating company has always emphasized that the concerns are completely unfounded because a maximum of 15 truck journeys per day are to be expected for deliveries and only two per week for deliveries.

Plant to go into operation in a few weeks
Following extensive checks by the relevant authorities and experts, the Landeck district authority has now issued a positive decision for the operation. "Of course, we will first wait for the objection periods, but then we expect to be able to install and commission our counting systems in a few weeks," says Managing Director Simon Parth, "we continue to rely on constructive cooperation with the municipality and hope to be able to dispel any remaining concerns from local residents as soon as the system is up and running."