Performance Polymers

Pilot Project: Compostable Organic Waste Bags in Berlin

Following the composting project in the Bad Duerkheim district (Germany) in spring of 2011, BASF, in cooperation with the Berliner Stadtreinigung (Berlin's waste management company), conducted a further successful practical test of compostable organic waste bags in Berlin, Germany.

The objective of the pilot project was to test in a metropolitan setting, how satisfied the residents were with the biodegradable bags and which influence they had on the collection behavior.

In early September 2011, over 21,000 households in the Berlin districts of Prenzlauer Berg and Hellersdorf received organic waste bags made of the biodegradable BASF plastic ecovio^® FS. The organic waste bags make it possible to collect organic kitchen waste in an easy and hygienic way.

Project Facts and Figures

Duration of trial period: three months.

Distribution of a free test package each containing ten compostable organic waste bags to over 21,000 households in the Berlin districts of Prenzlauer Berg and Hellersdorf.

Additional distribution of 3,700 pre-sorting containers in Hellersdorf.

Additional compostable bags available at various sales outlets

Organic waste bags are identified by the imprint of the BSR logo as well as the seedling symbol.

Disposal of the bags filled with organic waste in the BIOGUT organic waste bin.

Regular collection and processing of the organic waste by BSR.

Project research assistance provided by the independent consulting firm Kanthak & Adam.

Conducting a resident’s survey by the University of Mannheim, Germany.

Results

Nearly 80% of those surveyed were satisfied with the organic waste bags.

The amount of organic waste collected increased by at least 10%.

Non-biodegradable plastics in the organic waste declined significantly.

The organic waste bags have no influence on the high compost quality.

“We are very satisfied with the project results; the organic waste bags were well-received by the residents. This is documented by the larger quantity of organic waste in the city’s BIOGUT organic waste collection bin.”

— Frieder Söling, Berliner Stadtreinigung (Berlin's waste management company)

Further Information

Note:

These organic waste bags are not intended for home composting, only for disposal in the BIOGUT organic waste bin. Please do not dispose of conventional plastic bags without the seedling symbol in the BIOGUT organic waste bins.

Direct Contact

If you have any questions on waste separation, please contact:

Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR)

+49 (0)30 7592-4900

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