A new law introduces new sanctions for incorrect waste separation. Especially when it comes to organic waste, too much still has to be incinerated.
Kassel – Waste separation is a top priority in Germany. But many people still don't know what belongs in which bin. Anyone who does not adhere to the correct waste separation from now on will have to reckon with sanctions – especially for organic waste.
| Composted organic waste 2020 in Germany | 2.6 million tonnes |
|---|---|
| Per capita composted organic waste 2020 | 31 kilograms of organic waste |
| Total amount of bio-waste in 2020 | 14.4 million tonnes |
| Electricity from biogas 2020 | 5.8 percent of gross electricity generation |
"Bad bin messes up the whole batch" – new law on organic waste
Garden waste, meat scraps, coffee filter bags and eggshells belong in the organic waste bin - that's what most people in Germany know. Nevertheless, far too much plastic is still disposed of in the organic waste bin. Whether out of convenience or ignorance, incorrect disposal can mean sanctions under a new law. No one can make excuses, it depends on every single organic waste bin: "A 'bad bin' of waste messes up the whole batch for us," say Daniel and Tobias Bauer, head of technical operations at Bauer Kompost.
From 2025, the controls of organic waste are to increase significantly – including with detector vehicles. © Michael Gstettenbauer/Imago (symbolic image)
Her company processes almost 20,000 tons of organic waste per year. However, not all organic waste can be processed into compost or biogas. Many parts still have to be incinerated because they contain too many "contaminants" such as plastic. According to the Stuttgart Ministry of the Environment, organic waste contains between 2.3 and 2.6 percent foreign substances. The Federal Compost Quality Association (BGK) assumes four percent, the Federal Association of the German Waste, Water and Recycling Industry (BDE) even speaks of up to five percent. A lot of things that don't belong there also end up in the yellow bin.
New law for the organic waste bin – is there even a threat of fines?
On May 1, 2025, a new regulation will therefore come into force: then organic waste with more than three percent foreign matter content can be rejected. "A sorted collection of organic waste must be accompanied by continuous public relations work, consumer education and controls up to sanctions (leaving organic waste bins standing)," says BGK Managing Director David Wilken. From now on, there will be much more frequent and stricter controls. These are already being carried out in many districts.
In the district of Heilbronn, the organic waste is collected by one of the largest waste companies in Germany: Alba. The company works with a so-called detector vehicle: "These detect possible metals in the organic waste bins and, if necessary, block the bulk device so that the bin cannot be emptied," says a company spokesman. In some places, random checks are already being carried out. Larger inspections are much rarer, but they also occur, as in the Rems-Murr district, where 30,000 organic waste bins were inspected.
New law for the organic waste bin: fines of up to 2500 euros are imminent
Stricter controls in the future are intended to ensure that households adhere to the rules on waste separation: "If there is no control, then there is no longer any incentive to collect separately." As can be seen, among other things, in the waste balance of Baden-Württemberg, the amount of waste is growing every year. According to a BDE spokesman, too much waste still has to be incinerated. Tougher sanctions than leaving the organic waste bin standing are not yet known. Anyone who violates the Circular Economy Act when separating waste must expect fines of up to 2023 euros for gross violations as early as 2500. (Rodi/dpa)