Every Two Weeks, When Recycling Collection Rolls Around, Mainz Shows Its Uglier Side

Mainz finally sets 2027 launch for controversial 'yellow bin' waste system

Every fortnight, when the waste collection service comes to pick up packaging waste, the city of Mainz reveals a less flattering face: mountains of yellow bags clog sidewalks, while loose packaging from torn sacks blows through the pedestrian zones of the old town.

Since 2019, the city has been trying to change this. That year, the city council voted to introduce the yellow bin system, citing numerous advantages—improving the city's appearance, reducing plastic bag waste, and easing the physical strain on sanitation workers.

Yellow Bins from January 1, 2027?

But the proposal hit a legal snag. The administrative court blocked the plan because the city had mandated a full-service model—requiring waste collectors to fetch and return bins from properties—a provision that, under waste management law, municipalities are not permitted to impose.

Now, the city is making a fresh attempt. In a press statement, municipal spokesman Ralf Peterhanwahr told Merkurist that "the yellow bin could be introduced in Mainz as of January 1, 2027."

"Massive Increase in Residual Waste"

Before that can happen, however, the city needs a new partner. Under Germany's Packaging Ordinance, responsibility lies with so-called dual systems—companies that organize the nationwide collection and recycling of packaging waste, with the Green Dot (Der Grüne Punkt) being the most well-known example.

The Municipal Waste Management Authority (KAW), the public-sector waste disposal body, had already held talks with its current partner, the dual system provider BellandVision, at the end of last year on behalf of the city. The existing contract expires at the end of 2024, but no agreement was reached. "The dual systems reject the introduction of a yellow bin with fortnightly collection," the city spokesman explained. BellandVision justified this by arguing that waste separation works significantly worse with bins. "A massive increase in residual waste enters the collection cycle," the company stated in response to inquiries.

In rural areas, studies show an average of nearly nine kilograms of misplaced waste per person per year when using bags, compared to about 17 kilograms with the bin system, according to a 2018 report by the Federal Environment Agency. BellandVision also argued that plastic bag usage would not necessarily decrease. "Most households first collect packaging waste in plastic bags before disposing of them in the bins." Additionally, the bin system leads to higher emissions from collection vehicles, as the process is more time-consuming.

No Free Full Service

Due to the deadlock, the KAW has issued a new framework directive—a formal administrative act—to attract a new provider willing to implement the bin system. "The dual systems have filed an objection against the directive," the city's statement continued. "However, since it was issued for immediate enforcement, the yellow bin could still be introduced in Mainz as of January 1, 2027."

One thing is already clear: there will be no free full service. "If property owners want this service, it will come with additional costs," said Peterhanwahr. But that's only if the future provider offers it at all. If not, residents will have to take matters into their own hands every two weeks—rolling their yellow bins to the curb before collection and returning them afterward.