The municipal company SAKO Brno runs the largest waste collection centre in Moravia, and Brno is mong the fewcities utilising a fully automated sorting line for plastics and metals. This new system enables on-site processing of large volumes of waste, significantly reducing logistics costs. In an interview, Pavel Urubek, Chairman of the Board, discusses how the company is enhancing waste management to improve efficiency and environmental friendliness.
For over two years, Brno has had the largest collection centre in Moravia, serving both the public and commercial waste needs. What inspired the creation of such a large-capacity centre, and what distinguishes this facility from others?
It is unique in many ways. Covering nearly three-quarters of a hectare, it is undoubtedly one of the largest collection yards in the country. It’s designed to handle around 15,000 tons of waste each year, serving both the public and businesses, with access for lorries. Almost all types of commercial waste can be disposed of there. We have also launched a special website for businesses, www.sberny-dvur-brno.cz, where they can prepare the necessary legal documents or place an electronic order for waste collection from their office. I must emphasise that Brno and its surroundings have long lacked a properly equipped facility for collecting, sorting, and processing waste in an environmentally friendly way. The Brno collection yard, strategically located between the automatic sorting line and the waste-to-energy plant, has the significant advantage that materials arriving do not need to be transported far, as they can be processed directly on site. This is why we have also established a glass recycling centre on the premises for the entire Brno area, ensuring maximum savings in logistics and making Brno’s waste management as efficient as possible.
You mentioned an automatic sorting line. If I am correct, it is also unique in the Czech Republic. Can you provide more details about it?
Currently, there are only two similarly equipped lines in the Czech Republic. Plastic and metal waste are efficiently sorted using an optical and magnetic sorting system. Optics are essential, as this technology relies on detecting reflected radiation in the infrared range, with each type of waste having a unique wavelength. Optical separators sort waste with high precision, and final manual sorting helps us achieve nearly 100% purity.
Is waste utilisation and sorting increasing?
In Brno, due to a highly advanced waste management system, the answer is definitely yes. The improved sorting of waste from yellow bins is another step towards more eco-friendly waste management in Brno and the whole of South Moravia. With the new line, Brno has introduced a multi-material collection of plastics, beverage cartons, al uminium packaging, and iron packaging, reducing the number of bins in the city and making waste collection more efficient. The increased amount of sorted waste collected indicates that Brno residents are gradually adapting to the new sorting method. This method includes not only traditional plastics like PET bottles, plastic tubs, foil, and drugstore packaging, but also polystyrene, Tetra Paks, aluminium beverage cans, and all household metal packaging, such as tins, cans, lids from preserved foods, and other small metal items.
