Czechia takes sustainability seriously and is part of a broader European Union effort to go greener. The EU has implemented various sustainability reforms focusing on reducing waste, cutting down on energy usage, and promoting recycling. And in Czechia, you’ll see the results in your everyday life—sometimes in ways you don’t expect!
Recycling Everywhere: Learn Your Colors!
One of the first things you’ll notice in Czechia is how recycling is a way of life. There are recycling bins everywhere, and they’re colour-coded to make things easy. While you’ll learn them over time, here’s a quick breakdown to get you started:
• Yellow bins – Plastics
• Blue bins – Paper
• Green bins – Glass
• Brown bins – Organic waste
• Black/Gray bins – Regular trash
You’ll see these bins both indoors and outdoors. The indoor trash bins tend to be smaller and often have clear labels, but once you step outside, they’ll pop up all over the streets. Recycling is a part of daily life, and you’ll quickly get into the habit of sorting your trash accordingly.
Lights, Sensors, Action!
In Czechia, energy-saving goes beyond just turning the clocks back for daylight-saving time. You’ll notice that lights are often motion-activated, especially in public spaces like bathrooms. So don’t panic if you open the door and it’s pitch black. Just step inside, and—like magic—the lights will turn on. It’s a simple way to conserve electricity, and you’ll start appreciating it.
In places where there aren’t motion detectors, that’s where you’ll often see signs with a picture of the Earth, reminding you to turn off the lights when you leave the room. Saving energy is everyone’s responsibility here; small actions like these help.
Plastic? Not So Fast!
Plastic bags are rare in Czechia, and when you do find them, they’re never free. In fact, not just plastic bags but all bags cost money—even paper ones! Whether you’re at a grocery store, Zara, H&M, or any other shop, you’ll be charged for a bag. It’s not a lot, but enough of a reminder to bring your own reusable tote.
Fabric totes are basically a Czech accessory at this point—everyone has one (we even got them as a welcome gift from my university when I first arrived here). Just toss one in your bag or backpack in case you find a great discount or have an unexpected shopping spree. It’s eco-friendly, practical, and helps cut down on waste!
Czechia’s commitment to sustainability is easy to spot, and before you know it, you’ll be joining in on the effort—one recycled bottle and fabric tote at a time!