Waste Management in Germany

Challenges, Obstacles, Factors of Success

Andrea JünemannHead of Division Waste and Water Management

www.bmwi.de

Content

1. Overview on the Development of Waste Management in Germany

2. Factors of Success

3. Outlook on Future Activities in Germany and the European Union

Waste Management in Germany (Starting Point)

More than 50.000 overfilled dumpsites

Too few incineration facilities

No recycling Starting environmental

awareness in politics and society

German Waste Management (2015)An extensive and powerful economic sector with more

thano 3.000 private companies (including machine and plant

construction)

o 430 municipal companies

o more than 250 000 employees and

o an annual business volume of more than 50 billion € o High Recycling Rates

o Leading Export Country for modern and efficient Treatment Technologies

Benefitso Cleaner environment (no more littering, less air pollution, clean soil and

water)

o Tremendous reduction of CO2-emissions over the last 15 years (more than 56 million of CO2 emissions, which is nearly a quarter of our total savings)

o Creation of more than 250 000 local jobs ranging from low skill to high skill levels

o Generation of local, affordable and renewable heat and power through WtE-plants (more than 7 billion kWh power and 18 billion kWh heat p.a.)

o Savings of raw materials (16 % of raw materials replaced with recovered materials)

o Competitive edges through a resource efficient production

Factors of Success Legal Frameworko Extended producer responsibilityo Mandatory waste hierarchyo Mandatory recycling rateso Landfill ban

High Awareness and Acceptance by Citizens and Economyo Demands for sustainable waste managemento Commitment of waste industry

Comprehensive Financial Support o Programs related to research, technology transfer, foundations,

innovations and investments

German Closed Cycle Management Act (2012)

Recycling has priority over incineration with energy recovery

Disposal (landfilling and incineration without energy recovery) is subordinated to all kinds of recovery

Prevention and re-use are on top of the waste management hierarchy

Prevention

Preparing for re-use

Recycling

Energy relatedrecovery

Disposal

Further Legal Instruments to Promote Recycling

Landfill Ban

(since 2005)

Extended Producer Responsibility

(since 1991 for packaging)

Mandatory Recycling Targets

(since 1991 for packaging)

Extended Producer Responsibility

Take back schemes,e.g. „duale Systeme“

Take-Back Schemes in Germany

• Important Role

as a link between producers/retailers, municipalities, and waste companies

driving force to optimize e.g. sorting technologies and the design for recycling

Recycling costs have more than halved in the last 20 years  

25 years of Experience with EPR

EPR as an important incentive

• to foster - the recovery of waste - the eco-design of products

• EPR has strong impetus on- the development of modern treatment technologies- markets for recyclable materials

EPR - Regulations on Different Waste Streams

Packaging Ordinance

Electric & Electronic Equipment Act

Batteries Act

ELV Ordinance

Recycling Rates - Packaging Materials1) Private Households2) Material and Energetic Recover3) Source GVM, Mainz, Germany

1991 2003 2012

Glass 53.7 % 85.3 % 84.5 %

Paper, Cardboard 28.0 % 78.0 % 99.0 %

Plastics 3.1 % 57.4 % 99.0 %

Tin-Plate 33.8 % 87.7 % 95.5 %

Liquid Packaging Board

------- 63.5 % 95.6 %

Further Legal Instruments to Promote Recycling

Landfill Ban

(since 2005)

Extended Producer Responsibility

(since 1991 for packaging)

Mandatory Recycling

Rates(since 1991 for

packaging)

Factors of Success Legal Framework Mandatory waste hierarchy Extended producer responsibility Mandatory recycling rates Landfill ban

High Awareness and Acceptance by Citizens and Economyo Demands for sustainable waste managemento Commitment of waste industry

Comprehensive Financial Support o Programs related to research, technology transfer, foundations,

innovations, and investmentso New Export Initiative with a focus on waste and water management

To-do List Germany / European Union

Germany:Advancement Packaging ActRevision and Strengthening of our Industrial Waste OrdinanceSeparate collection of organic waste all over the country

European Union:Increase recycling of municipal and packaging wastePhase out landfilling for recyclable wasteReduce food waste Inclusion of aspects like recycling capability, new methods of use and ownership

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION