One thing is particularly important for the recycling of packaging: the correct separation of waste. To ensure that this is successful in private households, a nationwide partner campaign will be launched at the beginning of June under the patronage of Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke. More than 200 local authorities, partners from the food retail sector and the dual systems want to raise awareness with the „Deutschland trennt. You too?“ campaign.
It's all about packaging: from 3 to 16 June, waste advice centres in over 200 municipalities are inviting citizens to find out about correct waste separation for three-metre-high XXL packaging - for example a giant yoghurt pot. The „Germany separates. You too?“ campaign covers a catchment area of around 40 million inhabitants. Correct waste separation is the prerequisite for efficient packaging recycling and thus for the protection of important raw materials, the climate and the environment. During the campaign weeks, local authorities throughout Germany, together with the dual systems and their „Waste separation works“ initiative, their partners Netto Marken-Discount, EDEKA and Netto Deutschland as well as representatives of the waste and disposal industry, are educating as many people as possible about correct waste separation for the first time.
The idea for the largest Partner campaign for correct waste separation comes from the initiative „Waste separation works“. The patron of „Deutschland trennt. You too?“ is Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke - her message on the campaign is recorded in a video.
„Together we can achieve a lot. Until now, the companies and institutions involved in the packaging recycling value chain have mostly been working on their own. We have a common goal: more collected packaging, efficient recycling and therefore an even more sustainable circular economy for packaging in Germany.“
Axel Subklew, spokesman for the initiative
Used nappies, food scraps and batteries are still popular „misfits“ in the yellow bin or yellow bag in many places. They do not belong there and can prevent the recycling of used packaging. At live events centred around XXL packaging organised by „Deutschland trennt. You too?“, the teams from the waste advice centres will therefore answer all Questions from citizens about correct waste separation. They provide information directly on site about correct waste separation and dispel waste myths and prejudices.
For the partners of „Deutschland trennt. You too?“ initiative, the „Waste separation works“ initiative has developed a comprehensive campaign concept. It provides the waste advice centres with campaign elements such as XXL packaging, a fun drummer crew or the „separation bear“ with its quiz wheel as well as information material free of charge. The participating Local authorities are free to organise their campaigns around correct waste separation. According to a recent YouGov survey1 , 70 per cent of people in Germany would like to see high-profile public campaigns that provide information about correct waste separation and recycling.
As separation ambassadors, many waste advisors give the „Germany separates. You too?“ campaign in their city - for example on posters. The „Waste separation works“ initiative also accompanies the campaign weeks with a nationwide advertising and social media campaignse. This gives the waste advice centres prominent support from local influencers. The citizens themselves can also show their face: With a selfie in front of the XXL packaging and the hashtag #wertrenntgewinnt, they can take part in the nationwide social media competition organised by „Deutschland trennt. You too?“ social media competition and, with a bit of luck, win one of many prizes.
The XXL packaging shows own-brand products from the food retailers participating in „Deutschland trennt. You too?“ by the food retailers Netto Marken-Discount, EDEKA and Netto Germany. Packaging recycling is an important aspect of sustainability in retail. To ensure that as much packaging as possible can be recycled, the partners are clarifying their Inform customers about correct waste separation while shopping up. In a total of around 10,000 stores across Germany, they provide information about correct waste separation, for example with posters and displays, in their customer magazines or on social media channels.
Source: Waste separation works
