Avoiding foreign materials in organic waste – EAD inspects organic waste bins in Darmstadt
The revised organic waste ordinance will come into effect on May 1, 2025. The municipal services department of the City of Darmstadt (EAD) is drawing attention to the new regulations and emphasizing the importance of proper waste separation. The aim is to reduce the amount of foreign matter in organic waste so that it can be better recycled.
"In the science city, organic waste has been collected separately since 1991. Darmstadt is playing a pioneering role here," explains City Treasurer André Schellenberg. "By correctly separating organic and other waste, nature and resources are protected."
What's new is that control limits for foreign materials will apply in the future: For organic waste from households and small businesses, the limit for plastics is one percent, and for other foreign materials, it's three percent. To ensure compliance with these limits, the EAD (Waste Management Authority) will conduct random checks of the contents of organic waste bins – including visual inspections before collection. Organic waste bins with excessive amounts of foreign materials will not be emptied. They can be disposed of as residual waste at the expense of those liable for the fees.
What can go in the organic waste bin?
- Flowers and plant garden waste (wood up to 10 cm in diameter)
- Fruit and vegetable waste, peels and scraps
- Bread scraps, eggshells, milk and flour products (in small quantities)
- Coffee grounds and filter bags, tea bags
- Fish bones and food scraps (in household quantities)
- Compostable pet litter
Biodegradable plastic bags are not permitted, even if they are made from renewable resources. These do not decompose quickly enough and increase the sorting effort required for composting.
Further information on proper waste separation can be found on the EAD Darmstadt .
(DARMSTADT – RED/PSD/stip)
