Recycling is still uneven in Russia, so travelers should not assume that separate bins mean a fully sorted system; in many places, people simply use the nearest trash container unless a building or neighborhood has a clearly marked collection point. In larger cities such as
Moscow and
St. Petersburg, you may see voluntary sorting for paper, plastic, glass, and batteries, but participation is more common in newer residential complexes, supermarkets, and eco-initiatives than in everyday street life.