Successful biotonna challenge: fewer foreign substances in Brandenburg!

Successful biotonna challenge: fewer foreign substances in Brandenburg!

The city of Brandenburg an der Havel successfully faced the challenge of the organic waste as part of its initiative for waste management. On May 26, 2024, the starting signal for the #Biotonen Challenge, which primarily aimed at reducing the foreign substance content in biotons and thus improving the utilization of organic waste. The initiator of this remarkable campaign was the Biotonne Germany campaign, which supported numerous local measures. Among other things, various actions to raise awareness of the citizens were carried out by the Office for Waste Management, Floor Protection and Green Spaces.

The responsible persons were particularly active by distributing “biotonna newspapers”, which provided valuable information to households. Social media channels such as Instagram and Facebook also served to spread knowledge about organic waste and to organize competitions to promote interest in correct waste separation. So 23 lucky winners were allowed to take the practical "Biotoni" advantages home for their kitchens.

successful record and outlook

After a year of intensive information, the balance of the challenge shows positive results: the foreign substance content in the biotons has been reduced. However, it also noticed that plastic packaging and other foreign substances continue to get into the biotons. Visual checks showed numerous misses, especially among the districts of Neustadt and the historic old town, from plastic bags to glass bottles. With the new bio -waste regulation, which will come into force on May 1, 2025, there will be even more stricter rules in the future. These exacerbate the limit values for foreign substances, so that a maximum of three percent foreign substances and only one percent biodegradable plastic bags are allowed.

Citizens are called to contribute to the cleanliness of the biotons, because contaminants represent a serious environmental problem. The waste owner can even be asked for sorting if the bio bin is not filled correctly. Municipalities are also held on personal responsibility to determine regulations and possible fines, especially if the biotons are excessively contaminated.

The next steps for a clean environment

A future -oriented step in the right direction is the introduction of modern technologies to improve visual controls. These are currently in the test phase. According to the waste guru, millions of tons of bio waste could be effectively processed into compost and energy annually if the quality of the organic waste would meet better standards. Incorrectly filled biotons not only burden the environment, but also the disposal costs.

It is crucial that all the parties involved throw the same waste into the bio bin: fruit and vegetable residues, coffee filters, eggshells, withered flowers and garden waste are well-being and belong in there. Plastic packaging, hygiene articles and even cigarette butts, on the other hand, have lost nothing in the biotone. Tips for use such as the use of newspaper for collection or regular cleaning of the biotone support to facilitate the separation.

goal is to protect nature and to promote the circular economy through composting, which is not only climate -friendly, but also sustainable. The commitment of the city of Brandenburg and its citizens already shows that education and participation are successful. In addition, the city will continue to actively inform about the correct use of the biotone and promote awareness of error -free separation of waste. Because a clean environment begins in your own home.

For further information on the waste regulation and future changes in bio-waste disposal, the citizens can the pages of [climate protection municipalities] (https://www.klimaschutz-kommune.de/buergerinfo/bio-waste regulation/) and and [WasteGuru] (https:// Abfallguru.de/muelltraenschaft- recycling/biomuell-2025-neue-regeln/).