Overview

• Bio-waste bins exceeding 1% contamination thresholds are being left unemptied and marked with notices to encourage compliance.
• Municipalities are utilizing detector vehicles and conducting spot checks to identify and address improper sorting of bio-waste.
• Households violating the rules face individual counseling for first offenses, with fines up to €2,500 for repeated or severe breaches.
• Industry groups support the new 'Rückweisungsrecht,' which allows waste facilities to refuse highly contaminated loads to improve compost and biogas production quality.
• The regulation aims to reduce microplastic pollution, prevent incineration of recyclable materials, and advance Germany's circular economy goals.