New rules for the organic waste garbage can - less plastic, more quality

The aim is to improve the quality of the Biowaste containers collected and, above all, to keep plastic and other impurities out of the composting and fermentation process.

In concrete terms, this means

that the proportion of plastic in Biowaste containers must not exceed 1% by weight in future. In total, all contaminants must not make up more than 3% of the Biowaste container.

What does this mean for Jena?
Not much will change for our customers on a day-to-day basis - Biowaste containers must continue to be separated cleanly as before. However, with the new legal requirements, the demands on the quality of the organic waste bin contents are increasing.

Important: anyone who throws plastic, foil or other foreign matter into the organic waste garbage can risks the garbage can not being emptied. As before, Kommunalservice Jena (KSJ) is entitled to leave garbage cans that are incorrectly filled. In this case, citizens are obliged to re-sort the contents of the garbage can before it can be made available for emptying again. If the bin is not re-sorted, it can be disposed of as Residual waste for a fee - in the form of a chargeable special emptying.

What belongs in the organic waste garbage can?

• Food waste (in normal household quantities), old food (without packaging)
• Fruit and vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells
• Garden waste: Flowers, leaves, green and shrub cuttings
  

What is not allowed in the organic waste garbage can?

• Plastic bags (not even "compostable" bioplastic bags)
• Packaging, foil, cans, glass, stones
• Diapers, vacuum cleaner bags, ashes, cat or small animal litter
  

Our tip: Paper bags or newspaper are ideal for collecting Biowaste containers in the kitchen. These decompose without leaving any residue and do not interfere with the composting process.

Why is this so important?
Biowaste containers from Jena are partially processed into biogas and high-quality compost in a regional treatment plant. Biowaste containers can only be turned into a clean cycle - without plastic in the soil - if they are free of plastic and other foreign matter.

More information on the correct collection of Biowaste containers in Jena at: Biowaste containers