Household waste analysis in Jena: Where do our waste really land?

Household waste analysis in Jena: Where do our waste really land?

Jena, Deutschland - In the 26th calendar week, more precisely from June 23 to 27, 2025, an important analysis of the household waste is carried out in Jena. On behalf of the city, the municipal service Jena (KSJ) took on the task of evaluating the composition of the household waste in four different structural areas. This is the first comprehensive household waste analysis since 2015 and marks a decisive step for the city's waste management concept.

The household waste analysis takes place in the areas of Cospeda, Ringwiese, Lobeda-Ost and Tümplingviertel. The household waste bins are emptied on the respective days of the regular waste disposal, and the content is reloaded to a separate waste collection vehicle. The filling stands of the tons are visually checked and the containers and content are also weighed. The aim of these measures is to record the percentage distribution of valuable materials, pollutants and biodegradable waste. Further details on the analysis can be found on the website of jenatv.

Why a new analysis?

Jena is obliged as a public law waste disposal company (ÖRE) to regularly create and continue waste management concepts. The last analysis was carried out around ten years ago, and with the current investigation, the city wants to update the qualitative and quantitative aspects of household waste and derive which measures are necessary for waste management. According to the KSJ, two sorting analyzes will be necessary to get a comprehensive picture.

data protection and transparency

An important point that is highlighted in communication on these analyzes is data protection. No personal data is recorded or passed on to give the citizens a trusting feeling. The analysis of the waste flows is in the foreground and not monitoring individual content.

The need for such a data analysis can also be seen in the context of the general waste management. Statistics on waste disposal in Germany show that the waste separation and the recording of plastic waste in particular are fundamental elements for sustainable waste management. An overview of relevant data can be found on the pages of the Federal Statistical Office.

The coming days therefore promise insightful knowledge that could be pioneering for the future planning and implementation of the waste management in Jena. The city expects valuable information that should contribute to the better sorting of the garbage, but also to the general sensitization of the citizens: in the inside with regard to waste avoidance and separation.