n Leipzig, more than 600,000 people live, and while this may not be a large number compared to other German cities, the city still faces a significant food waste problem. A community named Community-supported agriculture (CSA) connects farmers and consumers directly, reducing food waste by 22–70% compared to regular farms. Even with smaller harvests, less waste balances the difference.
Waste management
Stadtreinigung Leipzig (Leipzig Waste Management Services) is a direct service organization of the City of Leipzig with 800 staff. Its services include waste management, street cleaning, and maintaining Leipzig’s green spaces.
Interesting facts:
- 17 recycling centres;
- Waste collections for about 340,000 households and business customers;
- Maintenance of 760 green spaces, parks and squares with a total area of 798 hectares;
- Cleaning of two thirds of the road network with a total length of 1,780 km, about 1,000 km of public pavements and cycle paths, and the popular pedestrian zones in the city centre.
Zero-Waste grocery stores
Several zero-waste grocery stores in Leipzig, such as Ladencafé Vleischerei and Unverpackt Leipzig, play a critical role in reducing food waste. These stores encourage customers to purchase only what they need by offering unpackaged food and allowing shoppers to bring their own containers. By reducing packaging and promoting mindful consumption, these stores help to minimize food waste at the source. Additionally, they often partner with local farmers and producers to ensure that food is fresh and that any surplus is redistributed rather than discarded.
Waste separation
Different types of waste are collected and recycled separately. In Germany, waste separation starts directly with the consumer. This means that every household must sort its own waste and throw it into different bins and containers. Most of the waste in Germany is recycled and composted, which conserves resources and protects the environment. Basically, avoiding waste is still the easiest way to do something about the growing mountains of rubbish. If you throw something in the wrong bin, the employees or sorting facilities at the recycling centres must sort it out. If we all sort correctly, we can avoid this effort, reduce costs and do something for the environment. In Germany, you must separate your waste and put it in the correct bins. Each bin has a colour showing what can go inside. Check the yearly “waste calendar” for collection dates. Incorrect waste separation can lead to fines or higher costs. Always follow the rules to avoid trouble.
Deposit obligation
There is a so-called “deposit obligation” for certain drinks packaging. If you buy plastic and glass bottles or drinks cans in the supermarket, you pay a few cents more for them. If you return them empty later to the empties collection point in a supermarket (usually a vending machine), you get this money back. This is called a “deposit”. There are two different types of these special bottles:
- On disposable bottles (which are recycled) you will find a square sign with a can and a bottle surrounded by an arrow. This is the logo of Deutsche P-fand-System GmbH. You will receive a 25-cent deposit back on bottles or cans with this symbol.
- On returnable bottles (which are washed and refilled) you will either find no labelling at all, a “blue angel” or the words “returnable (bottle)”, “returnable bottle” or “deposit bottle”. You get a 15-cent deposit back for returnable bottles. For beer bottles it is 8 cents.
- Beverage cartons are deposit-free.
If you don’t have the time or inclination to return your deposit bottles yourself, you can also leave them in a clearly visible place next to a rubbish bin on the street. There are many people in Germany who collect these bottles to earn a little extra money.
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