Articles
12. Jun 2024

Bio-Waste Collection Bags Help to Properly Separate Organic Waste

Bio Mülleiner von oben gesehen mit Bananenschalen und Orangenschalen

In Germany, a third of organic waste still ends up in general waste bins, where it is simply incinerated. Although the use of organic waste bins has been mandatory across the EU since early 2024, many households in Germany are still not connected to a dedicated organic waste bin or similar system. As a result, around 4 million tonnes of natural resources are lost each year, which could have been utilised for the most ecological purposes, such as compost or biogas.

Demand for compost now exceeds supply, not only as a fertiliser and soil improver for agriculture but also as a peat substitute in growing media. Our goal must be to collect more organic waste in a clean and separated way via the organic waste bin.

Compostable bio-waste bags have been proven to be an effective tool in significantly increasing households’ willingness to correctly separate and collect kitchen-derived organic waste. They are easy to use, clean, hygienic, waterproof, and reduce unpleasant odours. At the same time, bio-waste bags help significantly reduce contamination with incorrect items and foreign materials, especially conventional, non-compostable plastics in organic waste.¹,²

The certified, industrially compostable bio-waste bags have a uniform, legally mandated design, making them easily distinguishable from conventional, non-degradable plastic bags.

How to recognise the correct bags:

To ensure that certified bio-waste bags approved under the Bio-Waste Ordinance (BioAbfV) are easily recognisable and distinguishable from other bags unsuitable for collecting organic waste, the German legislature has introduced mandatory guidelines for a uniform design. Certified bio-waste bags are easily recognisable by the “Keimling” (seedling) symbol printed across the entire surface. This makes them clearly distinguishable from conventional plastic bags and other foreign materials that do not belong in the organic waste bin, providing clarity and safety for both consumers and waste collectors.

Important note: Although bio-waste bags are legally approved nationwide, local public waste management authorities (or, in some federal states, municipalities) may set different rules for tools used to collect organic waste via the organic waste bin. Therefore, be sure to check any local waste management regulations regarding the use of compostable collection bags.

To ensure that both consumers and waste management companies can trust that the bags will decompose in organic waste processing facilities, they undergo a strict testing and certification process. Complete decomposition within the usual treatment times of industrial composting facilities in Germany is also verified. In accordance with the Bio-Waste Ordinance, this must occur within a maximum of six weeks, which is confirmed by the legally required “DINplus” certification by DIN CERTCO GmbH. These bags decompose significantly faster than the European standard DIN EN 13432 for compostable packaging requires.

Additionally, during the certification process, the bags undergo ecotoxicity tests to ensure they have no negative impact on compost or the environment.

 

National Uniform Labelling Requirement

Requirements according to Annex 5 of the Bio-Waste Ordinance (mandatory since 1 November 2023):

Bio-waste bags must be printed with the recognised certification mark based on certification according to DIN EN 13432:2000 or DIN EN 14995:2007 and feature the protected “Keimling” logo. The logo must be printed in a large, grid pattern on the front and back of the bag (sample print below). Detailed requirements can be found in Annex 5 of the BioAbfV.

  • The base colour of the bag should be white-green with a milky transparency.
  • On the front, the bag’s certification as an “industrially compostable bio-waste collection bag for separate bio-waste collection” according to the BioAbfV must be stated. It must also indicate that the bag may be used for separate organic waste collection (e.g. organic waste bin) if permitted by your local authority or waste management organisation.
  • The front of the bag may include additional logos, symbols, or text related to separate bio-waste collection, provided by the local waste management authority, manufacturer, or distributor.
  • The front should also include consumer information from the manufacturer or local waste authority, such as usage and storage instructions, as well as the note: “This bag is not suitable for home composting.”
  • On the back, certification details must be provided, including the certification body (name, location), registration numbers, and certification marks. Additionally, it must state: “Certified as industrially compostable according to DIN EN [14995 or 13432] and in accordance with additional requirements as per Annex 1, table row ‘Collection and transport materials for separate bio-waste collection,’ column 2, sentence 1, letter c of the BioAbfV.”

Sample Front Print:

Sample Back Print:

For more information on the nationwide labelling requirement for bio-waste collection bags, click here.

1 M. Kern, et al., (2018) Erfassung von haushaltsstämmigen Bioabfällen und Qualität des Bioguts – Auswertung von Biogut-Sortieranalysen, https://www.mikroplastikfrei.at/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/2018-11-MuA-Kern-Studie-trennverhalten_BRD.pdf

2 https://www.muellundabfall.de/ce/kunststoffe-im-kompost/detail.html

3 According to the trademark usage guidelines (available from DIN CERTCO GmbH, 12103 Berlin or TÜV Austria Holding AG), the “Keimling” logo must always appear with the associated registration number of the certificate. […] The registration number must be placed beneath the logo, maintaining the specified “clear space” as outlined in §2, subsection 5. The “Keimling” logo is the property of European Bioplastics e.V.