Munich is planning a yellow bin: CSU warns of open questions and cost traps!

Munich is planning a yellow bin: CSU warns of open questions and cost traps!

Munich is facing an important innovation in waste management: the introduction of the yellow bin for plastic packaging waste. A big step that could revolutionize waste disposal in urban areas. But there is also skepticism - especially from the CSU. On Thursday, the city council's local committee will decide on the ongoing negotiations between the Munich Waste Management Company (AWM) and the Dual Systems Germany, and the anticipation of the yellow bin can hardly be overlooked. The plan is for this to be available throughout the city from 2027, as abendzeitung-muenchen.de reports.

What’s special about this bin? The garbage is not removed by the city's garbage collectors, but by a private service provider - a step that raises questions about the process and possible costs for citizens. CSU city councilor Andreas Barbor expresses major concerns: “There are still a lot of questions in the air.” The placement of the bins and the expectation that there will be no additional fees are particularly the cause of discussion. Barbor has already announced that he will submit motions on these issues at the municipal committee meeting in order to demand clear solutions from the city.

Pilot test and accompanying scientific research

In order to optimally prepare for the introduction of the yellow bin, the Munich city council decided on a pilot test on December 8, 2022. This includes various packaging collection systems that will be tested in 2023 to determine the best system for the city. The test phase will start in January 2024 in districts such as Solln, Schwanthalerhöhe (Westend), Allach, Schwabing-Mitte and Lehel. Different systems are used here: recycling bin, yellow bin and yellow bag. Scientific support from INFA (Institute for Waste, Wastewater and Infrastructure Management GmbH) is intended to ensure that the findings are valid, as awm-muenchen.de informs.

As part of this project, there will also be two sorting analyzes carried out in May and October 2024 to assess the quality of the waste. Various aspects are being put to the test, such as the relationship between lightweight packaging and non-packaging of the same material (sNVP). The proportion of contaminants and the volume of the tons are also analyzed in order to identify potential problems at an early stage and find solutions. The studies pay particular attention to the needs of Munich's citizens, for example with regard to the public's reactions and possible additional costs for households.

The problem of waste glass containers

However, it is not just about developing new concepts. At the same time, an existing problem remains unsolved: the overfilling of waste glass containers in the city remains a major concern. Barbor points out that there is a need for action here too in order to deal with Munich's waste efficiently. The integration of the yellow bin is only part of a larger picture that poses major challenges for the city.

The next few weeks and months will be crucial for the implementation of this project. It remains to be seen whether the yellow bin will actually bring an improvement to Munich's waste management. One thing is certain, however: the discussions surrounding placement, costs and general acceptance will continue for some time.