Community steps up recycling efforts with more packaging and 'bio' containers

By Karl Weisel (IMCOM)August 27, 2014

WIESBADEN, Germany - U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Directorate of Public Works officials recently announced an updated trash pick-up schedule for Aukamm Housing and the introduction of biodegradable (bio) waste bins in Aukamm and Hainerberg Housing to occur around mid-September.

"We have an immediate change in the trash pick-up schedule for Aukamm Housing," said Peter Zeisberger USAG Wiesbaden's DPW landscape manager. "From now on the packaging (yellow bag/containers) are emptied at Aukamm Housing on Mondays.

"Additionally, the multi-stairwell residents at Aukamm and Hainerberg Housing will receive a biodegradable (bio) waste bin by mid-September 2014. Crestview Housing will follow later," Zeisberger said.

The containers for biodegradable/biological waste are solely for compostable waste from the kitchen and garden, he explained.

"Up to 40 percent of household refuse is biological waste. It is turned into compost in large-scale compost plants and can be used as fertilizer. Bio waste is also used in large bio gas plants for energy production. As a result, biological waste is 100 percent recyclable," Zeisberger said.

The state of Hessen is enacting a new law that will require all residents to recycle their biological waste with the new law taking effect in 2015, he said.�

Until then, the USAG Wiesbaden will provide all housing areas with appropriate recycling containers.

The pick-up schedule during the winter months (December to mid-March) is every second week. During the summer months (mid-March to the end of November) pick-up is weekly.

Zeisberger offered the following tips for handling the bio waste bin:

 Line your bin with newspaper to keep it dry and clean.

Rinse your bin with a garden hose from time to time.

 Wrap leftovers in newspaper to prevent odor and moisture.

 Collect bio waste in special biodegradable bags.

 For additional green waste such as leaves and grass, brown bags are available at the Self-Help Home Improvement Store in Hainerberg Housing and at the Reuse and Recycling Center on Clay Kaserne.

Community members have been highly engaged in recycling, Zeisberger said, adding that thanks to improved recycling habits encouraged by such programs as the Green Boot Program, the yellow waste containers for packaging materials will be back at various trash collection points on Clay Kaserne. Changes are scheduled for the beginning of September, he added.

For more information about refuse pick-up, recycling, German environmental laws and other aspects of waste separation, visit the garrison's home page at www.wiesbaden.army.mil and click on the Recycling button under the Useful Links button.

Related Links:

Herald Union Online

USAG Wiesbaden Recycling page