Depony in Rosenow: garbage crisis or climate protection? New challenges!

Depony in Rosenow: garbage crisis or climate protection? New challenges!

in the municipality of Rosenow, in the Mecklenburg Lake District district, is currently all about waste disposal and the explosive topic of climate protection. The local landfill, operated by the Eastern Mecklenburg Vorpomeranian exploitation and landfill (OVVD), has played a central role in waste management since June 1, 2005. This law aims to reduce harmful greenhouse gases from waste, which is of great importance for the region. Over 200,000 tons of household waste end up in Rosenow every year, but only about 40 percent are deposited. Around 20 percent of the household waste, especially wood and metals, return to the circular economy, while the remaining 40 percent, mainly plastics, are burned.

That makes a good business, but the situation also has its dark sides. The volunteer fire brigade moves out to the landfill on average nine times a year, and this tendency is rising. The improper disposal of lithium-ion batteries, which are increasingly responsible for these fires, is particularly problematic. A topic that is unfortunately not only more recent than ever in Rosenow, but also ensures the alarm throughout Germany.

battery recycling and return obligations

Waste management is particularly sweating due to the new withdrawal obligation for batteries. There are a total of around 3,309 recycling and recycling centers in Germany, but only 150 of which are equipped for the safe storage of certain battery types. As remondis , the municipal disposal carriers are faced with enormous challenges by increasing waste. Questions about qualified staff and solid solution concepts are in the room.

There have also been criticisms, especially from the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, which require a flexible manufacturer organization. The new duty of withdrawal not only brings an increased fire risk, as HDE environmental officer Stefanie Stadie emphasizes, but is also heavily burdening the resources of waste disposal companies.

A look into the future: batteries and mobility

If you look beyond the national borders, another aspect of change shows that the batteries are connected. From 2035, no new cars with Otto or diesel engine may be approved in the EU. Electric motors are in demand and with them the development of sustainable lithium-ion batteries. This technology requires advanced materials whose recycling is currently still associated with great effort. Fraunhofer points to how research projects such as "Kolibri" to improve the environmental balance of these batteries and ensure a climate-friendly mobility.

The challenge is: How can you develop this technology so that it is completely recyclable at the end of life? Concepts for the manufacture of an annual environmental assessment and reducing raw material dependency now take up speeds and show that the path requires a cleaner future of public and economic efforts.

Overall, the landfill in Rosenow is not just a place of waste disposal, but a symbol of change in waste management. With massive investments that flow into new sorting and witness plants, the signs are on progress. And even if the challenges are great, a good example is shown here how to reconcile ecological responsibility and economic reality.