Effective January 1, 2027, the Stendal district will have a new collector for lightweight packaging (LVP). ALBA Niedersachsen-Anhalt will take over collection via the yellow bin in the future. This brings to an end a twelve-year period that, since the switch from the yellow bag to the yellow bin, has been marked by numerous questions, complaints, and disputes.
“This issue has cost us a lot of time and frustration. It’s important to note, however, that the district is generally not responsible for the collection and recycling of packaging. That is the responsibility of the dual systems,” said Patrick Puhlmann on Thursday during a press conference. Nevertheless, the district did not want to leave residents to deal with their problems on their own. “We will also be keeping a close eye on the new collector. No one will get a free pass. At the same time, we expect the current collector to properly fulfill its contract,” the Stendal District Administrator continued.
In Germany, the collection and recycling of packaging are organized through the dual systems. Several private companies handle the collection, sorting, and recycling. These systems operate in parallel with municipal waste management. Contracts for collection services are awarded on a regular basis, typically for three years.
In the Stendal district, the yellow bin was introduced district-wide after the yellow bag had been the predominant method of waste collection until 2014. From 2015 to 2017, the company Cont-Trans was contracted to handle LVP collection; from 2018 through the end of 2026, that responsibility falls to the Farsleben Recycling Center. The switch from bags to bins presented new challenges for many households. Proper sorting, in particular, raised questions. Not every type of plastic automatically belongs in the yellow bin—the key factor is whether the packaging has been completely emptied.
In recent years, there have been repeated complaints. In some cases, containers were inspected right down to the bottom to identify improperly disposed items. In isolated instances, certain streets were not served—for example, because the collector believed there was a lack of tree trimmings or because the load-bearing capacity of a bridge for the waste collection vehicle needed to be verified. In some cases, items left out for collection were not picked up. Styrofoam from the packaging of washing machines, refrigerators, or furniture posed a particular problem.
For some households, the capacity of their existing yellow bin became a problem. Those who needed an additional bin sometimes had to wait a long time for a solution. Even using extra bags did not always solve the problem. As a result, some residents, businesses, and organizations entered into additional agreements regarding the rental or emptying of yellow bins.
The Stendal District Administration and the Stendal District Waste Management Service Company (ALS) sought to find solutions through numerous discussions with residents, government agencies, dual systems, and waste management companies. “We have taken on extensive complaint handling and support work,” explained Hendrik Glaster. “We have stepped up waste advisory services regarding the yellow bin, inspected bin situations on-site, and, when necessary, checked the contents of the bins together with households. Incorrectly placed items were explained and, where appropriate, sorted out. We also checked items left curbside. In addition, the recycling centers were equipped with additional containers for lightweight packaging,” said the ALS managing director.
In particularly problematic cases, the district administration, in cooperation with ALS, took action against the system operators. A total of 38 penalty payment proceedings were announced, and eight additional notices were issued to ensure that the necessary containers were provided.
The issue was also raised on several occasions in the political arena. In 2024, Puhlmann took a stand against what he considered to be unreasonable additional requirements regarding the yellow bin. The county made it clear that the disposal of lightweight packaging through the dual systems is, in principle, not financed additionally through municipal waste fees. “Our goal has been and remains to protect citizens and institutions from injustice,” said the county administrator.
ALS also took consistent action in the interest of fee payers against alleged anti-competitive practices in connection with a request for proposals. The Stendal Regional Court ruled in ALS’s favor in its judgment of January 17, 2024. Cont-Trans Entsorgungsgesellschaft mbH was ordered to pay damages on the merits of the case. The Naumburg Higher Regional Court upheld this decision on January 17, 2025. The subject of the proceedings was damages totaling more than 800,000 euros. The exact amount still needs to be determined in a separate proceeding to determine the amount of damages. Puhlmann viewed the court’s confirmation as proof that the district’s perseverance had paid off, particularly for those paying the fees.
With the change taking effect on January 1, 2027, a new chapter is now beginning. The county and ALS will actively support the transition to the new waste management provider and closely monitor the process. “We want the transition to go as smoothly as possible for our residents. But we will continue to monitor the situation closely and remain available to address any issues,” Galster emphasized.
For households, nothing will change in the existing collection schedule for the time being. The yellow bins will continue to be emptied every 28 days. The sorting guidelines also remain unchanged. Incorrectly filled bins can still be reported and documented with a defect report.
We will announce in a timely manner whether existing yellow bins need to be returned or new bins installed, and whether there will be any changes for individual households. Further information will be published in the 2027 Waste Collection Calendar.
If you’re unsure about how to sort your waste, you can consult the waste collection calendar or contact ALS customer service. As a general rule, packaging does not belong in the residual waste but in the designated collection systems—lightweight packaging in the yellow bin, paper packaging in the paper bin, and glass in the appropriate glass containers.