Study visit to Graz (Austria)

The visit began at the re-use store of the company BAN-Ökoservice in Graz. Presentation of the store and workshops that are part of the building was carried out under the expert guidance of Mr. Berthold Schleich, manager of BAN-Ökoservice. Mr. Schleich explained how the trade and the whole system of waste collection, processing and re-marketing items separated from waste streams, which are collected on call, or through actions in which they provide a special container for items that can be re-used. A small amount of items are also collected directly at the recycling yard.

After that, the participants visited the headquarters of the company BAN-Ökoservice in Graz, again with professional guidance of Mr. Schleich, who showed us the administrative premises, workshops, warehouses and other facilities of the company that operates as a social enterprise and employs more than 150 workers, provides transportation, repair and conversion of used things separated from waste streams, decorating gardens, non-food catering services (rent of accessories for food and other equipment for public events), cleaning and washing.

After the coffee break, representatives of the company BAN-Ökoservice took the participants to visit the facility for separate waste collection and treatment in the center of Graz, which is managed by Graz Holding. In his expert guidance Mr. Jochen Pacha explained the present way of receiving and sorting collected waste from users and its further processing. The mixed municipal waste (dry fraction) is automaticly treated on the "shredder" and automatic sorting line, that turns out the sorted materials and fuel fractions, which are then used for energy production in plants for thermal treatment of waste. He also explained the billing system of the recycling yard and the operation of security systems for protection against fire.