A milestone for environmental protection: landfilling of untreated wastes
consigned to the past

Waste Storage Ordinance into force since 1 June 2005

There is a new era of domestic waste management in Germany: since the 1 June 2005 wastes can no longer be landfilled in Germany without pretreatment.

Just 15 years ago a great deal of domestic and commercial wastes ended up untreated on the rubbish tip. First residents complained about the stench, then pollutants such as dioxins were found in the groundwater and drinking water. The digester gas methane emitted from landfills causes 21 times more damage to the climate than carbon dioxide (CO2). Domestic waste landfills became contaminated sites which result in costs for rehabilitation and after-care amounting to billions.

Since 1 June 2005 this has changed. Prior to storage, waste must be treated in such a way that it cannot degrade further or release pollutants. In future, recoverable substances will be separated in state-of-the-art installations and the energy from the wastes utilised. Only a small non-recoverable part of maximum 30% will still have to be stored in well-equipped landfills. Landfills with poor liners and a lack of technical monitoring will be gradually be closed down by 2009.

For 12 years the industry, local authorities and environmental activists have been working towards 1 June 2005. Local authorities alone have invested €7.5 billion, especially over the past four years. 15,000 jobs have been created.

The Waste Storage Ordinance also implements the 1999 European Union Landfill Directive. Along with Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands, German waste management is thus assuming a pioneering role in the implementation of this EC directive.