Cologne is fighting against the flood of garbage: Illegal butts everywhere in the city!

Cologne is fighting against the flood of garbage: Illegal butts everywhere in the city!

In Cologne, the cleanliness situation is anything but rosy. Recent reports show that illegal dumping of waste has appeared in many places across the city. The situation at Lake Escher is particularly deplorable, where rubbish such as plastic bags and cardboard boxes were dumped right next to a rubbish bin, which amounts to a clear call for a clean-up operation. Remnants of rubbish can also be found in the bushes around the lake, which significantly spoils the enjoyment of nature, as Express reports.

However, the waste problem in the city does not only extend to the riverside landscape. In the city center, specifically at the Caritas building on Leonhard-Tietz Street, torn boxes and packaging waste are piled up in a garden, which doesn't exactly make for an inviting picture. In Zündorf, an electrical device that looked like an old television or screen was simply disposed of on a meadow next to a housing estate. And things aren't any better in Cologne-Kalk either: a reader reporter documented a wild garbage dump on Buchforster Straße, where broken chairs and other rubbish cause frustration - the entire street is littered with small pieces of rubbish.

An increase in garbage dumps

In 2024 there was a drastic increase in illegal waste dumping in Cologne. According to T-Online, around 28,000 cases were counted, compared to around 24,000 in the previous year. This development not only raises questions about cleanliness, but also causes immense costs for the city. More than 14 million euros are spent annually on the disposal of illegally disposed waste, an enormous item in the city's budget.

The opportunity to dispose of waste in an environmentally friendly manner is excellent in Cologne. Larger waste such as furniture and electrical appliances can be handed in free of charge at two recycling centers in Gremberghoven and Ossendorf. A collection service is also available, which requires prior registration with the waste management company (AWB). For small waste, there are over 23,000 trash cans with integrated ashtrays in the city, while around 2,000 trash cans are equipped with dog waste bag dispensers.

Legal situation and fines

Although the city of Cologne offers comprehensive waste disposal options, many citizens still resort to illegal methods. These can be punished with fines of up to 150 euros, for example for discarded cigarette butts or to-go drink cups. This shows that the costs of illegal waste disposal can be a burden not only for the city, but also for individual fines, as Bussgeldkatalog makes clear.

It is up to all of us to ensure a clean environment and use the options for proper disposal. Nature demands responsible action so that each individual can make a difference - be it by disposing of waste correctly or by participating in local clean-up campaigns. Anyone who wants to do it has the best chances!