World savior organic waste garbage can
On the occasion of Organic Waste Bin Day, I'm also adding my waste. This probably raises the question: Why are waste garbage cans, like the organic waste garbage can, given their own day?
Let's take a look at all the garbage cans first. We have the aforementioned organic waste garbage can, a waste paper garbage can, a residual waste garbage can and a DSD garbage can. The purpose of all of them is to separate waste. But how do I even know what I can put in an organic waste garbage can?
Here is (opens in a new tab) a short list of dos and don'ts for the organic waste garbage can:
Dos:
- Fruit, vegetables, herbs
- Bread scraps, cheese scraps (without plastic tray)
- Leaves, weeds, small branches
- Coffee filters, coffee powder
- Potting soil + flowers (cut flowers, house and balcony plants)
Dont's
- Plastics
- metals
- Liquids (tea, milk, coffee, etc.)
- Cardboard, paper, paper towels, magazines
- glass
- Clothing
- medicines
- Tobacco residue or ash
You can find out more about correct waste separation in our waste ABC (opens in a new tab) on our homepage.
Now that we know which waste belongs in the organic waste garbage can, the next question is: why do we separate waste at all and what happens to the waste in the organic waste garbage can? I looked into this and did a little research.
After we throw a banana peel into the organic waste garbage can, it is collected with the rest of the organic waste and taken to a disposal facility. The waste is now sorted and sieved, as it often happens that plastic and metal, for example, are in the organic waste garbage can. However, this should no longer happen with you, as you already know that neither plastic nor metal go into the organic waste garbage can.
The organic waste is then shredded and can now be recycled in two different ways.
Variant 1: Generate biogas
In this variant, the organic waste is decomposed in fermentation plants. The external conditions are crucial here. Neither light nor oxygen must be allowed to reach it, otherwise the fermentation process is restricted. Once the process is complete, CO2 and methane are produced. And what can we use this for? Exactly - for nothing at first! Because the gases first have to be refined in processing plants so that they can later be used like natural gas by private households or in industry.
Did you already know?
Some of the biogas goes to biogas filling stations, which are used by waste collection trucks. So the refuse collection service drives your banana peel around, which it later uses for refueling - would you have thought?
Variant 2: Composting
As you may already know from your own experience, organic waste can also be recycled as compost. Compost is ideal as a fertilizer for agriculture, but can also be used in private households for the garden. But how is compost made? First of all, the organic waste is layered into heaps (large piles). Microorganisms then take over the work and decompose the organic waste. After around four to six weeks, we obtain humus soil or compost. Of course, you can also produce this in your own garden.
And so a simple banana peel becomes either gas or fertilizer for your plants. It's amazing what this banana peel can do!
If you have any questions about resources and waste, the staff at the resources and waste advisory service will be happy to help you.