AVL is a pioneer in waste management in many respects, said the district administrator at the anniversary celebrations. For example, it started collecting organic waste back in 1990, i.e. very early on. "AVL has taken on a pioneering role in Germany," said the head of the district administration. The fact that the around 30,000 tons of organic waste collected in the district every year will even be turned into energy through fermentation in the future is significant: "AVL goes far beyond the call of duty in many areas. The organic waste in the district generates as much energy as four medium-sized wind turbines would produce - that's remarkable!" In addition, the district's subsidiary "Flach und Rund" offers a very convenient collection system and a close-knit network of shredding sites, recycling centers and landfills.
Tilman Hepperle, Managing Director of AVL, still sees a need for action when it comes to the disposal and recycling of plastic and packaging waste. "We are already doing a lot to achieve improvements in this sensitive area." Hepperle cited the campaign against plastic waste in organic waste as an example. "We turn organic waste into energy and compost. Plastic in organic waste therefore also means that plastic ends up in the fields - we want to raise public awareness here," said Hepperle. From the fall, organic waste scouts will also be out and about, checking and providing information. Essentially, however, it is not the municipal companies that are responsible for the disposal and recycling of packaging and plastic, but rather the dual systems. "It is to be hoped that the new Packaging Act will also result in higher-quality recycling of packaging waste by the dual systems - and not just export to Asian countries with much lower environmental standards than in Germany," says Hepperle.
In its 30-year history, AVL has repeatedly demonstrated that service and proximity to the public are its central concerns, continued Hepperle. It started in 1989 with two recycling centers, today there are nine. It has been operating the facilities itself since 2012, during which time the number of deliveries has tripled. "This shows that our service is well received," says Hepperle. AVL is also doing pioneering work with the used goods department store WARENWANDEL in Ludwigsburg-Tammerfeld. Here, furniture and furnishings that are too good to throw away are refurbished and sold at reasonable prices. The 36 shredding sites in the district are accessible around the clock, 365 days a year, and the landfill sites in Schwieberdingen and Vaihingen/Enz have played a central role for years for builders from the Ludwigsburg district and the Stuttgart region. The landfill gas methane is processed into energy at several sites. "Climate protection and the generation of renewable energies are two areas in which we are making considerable progress," concluded the AVL boss.
Afterwards, the guests were able to witness a humorous show trial: executioner Volkesmund Gnadenlos sat in judgment of AVL. However, his verdict was far more lenient than originally planned...
