Environmental and Climate Policy in Ulm: Focus on Waste Management and Climate Protection in April 2026

Environmental and Climate Policy in Ulm: Focus on Waste Management and Climate Protection

Ulm is increasingly focusing on sustainability, resource conservation, and technological innovation in its environmental and climate policy. In April 2026, a series of decisions were made that significantly influenced the city's waste management, the digitalization of disposal systems, and climate protection. These measures are part of a broader concept aimed at achieving climate protection goals and ensuring a future-ready infrastructure.

Bio Waste Quality and New Control Mechanisms

A central topic was the quality of bio waste. The Bio Waste Ordinance (BioAbfV) of May 1, 2025, sets the contaminant content in bio waste to a maximum of 3%, with plastics not exceeding 1%. In recent months, the city of Ulm has observed that this limit is frequently exceeded. Batch analyses showed up to 7.24% of contaminants in bio waste, leading to a significant increase in processing costs, which rose by one-third.

To improve quality, bio waste bin inspections were resumed. Starting May 4, 2026, bio waste bins containing contaminants will no longer be emptied ("Red Cards"), unless a special emptying service is requested for a fee of 25 €. Additionally, public campaigns were conducted, including 48,000 letters to households, brochures, social media activities, and a public batch analysis on Münsterplatz.

Relocation of the Wiblingen Garden Waste Facility: Planning and Environmental Aspects

Another focus was the relocation of the Wiblingen garden waste facility. The city plans to move the site to Laupheimer Straße and further develop the new location. The current plot of land is intended to be used by 2028 at the latest for a children and family center. Environmental aspects such as noise protection, traffic, species protection, and access are being considered in the urban planning procedures.

The decision to draft the zoning plan is scheduled for April 2026, with early public consultation and the approval decision including the draft zoning plan and environmental report planned for July 2026. In addition, a pilot phase for a digital access management system will be tested at simple locations such as garden waste facilities to gather experience for a later expansion phase.

Waste Balance 2025: Decline in Illegal Waste Deposits, Increase in Commercial Waste

The 2025 waste balance shows a 3.5% decline in illegal waste deposits, indicating an improvement in waste separation and awareness campaigns. At the same time, commercial waste increased by 20.5%, attributed to economic development. The collection volume of bio waste remained stable, while the volume of electronic waste increased by 12.36%.

In 2024, Ulm's bio waste volume per capita was below the regional average. The bio waste connection rate was 73%, suggesting that awareness of the importance of bio waste is not yet fully established. The costs of bio waste disposal increased due to contaminants, with the weekly summer emptying in particular being associated with high costs and considered ecologically questionable.

Modernization of the Wastewater Pump Station 701 Wiblinger Allee

Another milestone was the planning for the renewal of the wastewater pump station PW 701 Wiblinger Allee. Built in the 1960s, the pump station has now reached the end of its technical service life. A study recommends the construction of a new building on a neighboring plot of land, while also examining the installation of a photovoltaic system and the use of wastewater heat for electricity and heat generation. The budget for the renewal is 9.45 million euros. The project and construction decision was unanimously approved by the Waste Management Committee.

Outlook and Challenges

The decisions made in April 2026 show that Ulm is actively addressing the challenges of climate policy. By optimizing waste management, digitalizing the disposal infrastructure, and modernizing wastewater facilities, the city is pursuing a sustainable and forward-looking approach. At the same time, challenges such as quality assurance in bio waste, the reduction of green waste volumes, and adaptation to new economic and technological developments remain.