Resource and cost efficient selective collection

The EU has accepted the Waste Framework Directive (WFD) in 2008 setting a 50% recycling target for paper, plastic, glass and metal waste by 2020 and prescribing the obligatory initiation of selective collection by 2015 [1]. These targets are also embedded in the 3rd National Environmental Program of Hungary [2] and the new Waste Management Act proposal. This research is focused on identifying the factors influencing the efficiency of complex selective collection systems. The initiation of a selective collection system results in an increase in recyclables and a decrease in the amount of residual waste. The cost of complex collection system is mainly determined by time of collection and the length of the route of the garbage truck.