Crown cork collection

Since February 2022, bottle tops and jars made of tinplate can be handed in at the recycling centers of Kommunalservice Jena (KSJ) in specially marked collection garbage cans, the so-called "treasure boxes". The "crown caps" campaign enables everyone to support regional projects with a little passion for collecting and at the same time actively contribute to recycling.

The idea came from Jena vocational school teacher Shabnam Staudt, who submitted it as part of the Citizens' Budget 2022. The KSJ immediately implemented the concept - even before it was put to the vote. The "treasure chests" are located at the recycling centers at Löbstedter Straße 56 and Emil-Wölk-Straße 13a in Jena. In addition to citizens, initiatives and companies are also involved in the good cause.

Crown cork collection campaign
©KSJ
Crown cap

Impressive collection results:

The quantities collected have increased year on year

2022: 1,043 kg of crown caps (donation to the Jena Children's Aid Foundation)
2023: 1.955 kg of crown caps (donation to Jena Hospice)

But the absolute record year was 2024, in which 6.883 tons of crown caps were collected - 3.5 times the amount from the previous year! This corresponds to around 7 million bottle caps and represents a milestone for the project. The proceeds from the collection of €1,896.29 were handed over at the Ronald McDonald House in Jena on January 29, 2025.

Thanks to the donors:

Special thanks to all supporters who made this impressive sum from 2024 possible:

  • Largest single donor: the Ronald McDonald House Jena, which contributed 1.09 tons of crown caps - collected by the KSJ street cleaning service.
  • Jena Hospice: over 400 kg of crown caps collected.
  • Citizens from Jena and Pößneck: each contributed 180 kg.
  • Numerous associations, initiatives and individuals regularly took part in the collection.

Moving on: Support for the Naturschutzjugend Jena (NAJU)

The crown cork collection remains a real community campaign! The KSJ covers the handling costs, while the amount of the donation is calculated based on the amount of scrap. Current donation target: From now on, the collection will be for the Naturschutzjugend Jena (NAJU), the youth organization of the Naturschutzbund. The proceeds will be handed over in January 2026 to support their valuable work in nature conservation.

Join in - every crown cap counts!