Plastic has no place in compost – and yet it still ends up in the organic waste garbage can far too often. This is now set to end: a revised EU organic waste regulation has been in force since May 1, 2025, which is intended to ensure significantly cleaner organic waste. The idea behind it is clear: fewer contaminants, better recycling, lower costs. But the implementation? Still room for improvement.

The problem is well known: Just a few wrongly discarded items can contaminate an entire load of organic waste, making it unusable. The consequences? Expensive re-sorting — or in the worst case, incineration. That’s not only harmful to the environment, but also a financial burden on taxpayers.

Good intentions, poor execution.

Thomas Schmitz, CEO of the ZOELLER Group, puts it bluntly: “The direction is right, but too many details are still missing. Without clear monitoring standards, good intentions often fall flat.”

The solution? Start earlier. “We need to shift from damage control to prevention,” says Schmitz. That’s why the ZOELLER Group is focusing on smart technology — working right where waste is generated: at the bin.

What used to go unnoticed is now visible. Sensors installed in collection vehicles detect whether the organic waste is clean — or contaminated. DeepScan uses electromagnetic sensors to identify conductive materials like coffee capsules, yogurt lids, drink cartons, and other common packaging waste.

SmartScan takes it a step further, analyzing the components of waste using optical data. The system provides instant feedback, makes contamination measurable, and allows cities and waste management companies to take targeted action.

“If you separate waste properly at the start, you save money at the end,” Schmitz sums up. And the results speak for themselves: fewer contaminants, lower sorting costs — and biogas plants that are once again willing to accept organic waste, along with cleaner, more usable compost.

Not just anywhere — but exactly where it matters.

While many companies rely on centralized sorting systems, the ZOELLER Group brings smart technology straight to the streets. “Our technology is closer — to reality, to people, to the source,” says Schmitz. That makes it not only more effective but also much quicker to scale.

In Scandinavia, AI-driven waste analysis is already being tested on a large scale. In Germany, progress is slower. Cities like Berlin and Munich are taking the lead, but nationwide adoption is still lagging. Even so, Schmitz remains optimistic: “The potential is enormous — we just need to tap into it.”

The industry is undergoing a fundamental shift. What used to be simple disposal is turning into a data-driven control process. Waste is becoming a resource — but only if its quality is high from the start. “Now is the time to invest in smart systems. They don’t just protect the environment — they also ease the strain on municipal budgets.”

Thomas Schmitz concludes: “The new regulation is a step in the right direction — but it’s no guarantee of success. We need technology, clear processes, and above all, education. Because only when people understand why proper waste separation matters regulation will lead to real change.”