Food waste in Aalborg Municipality

How will food waste work in Aalborg Municipality?

1. Between April and June 2024, you will receive a starter pack with a kitchen bin and 150 green food waste bags.

2. From 1 June 2024, you will sort your food waste in the green food waste bags, while you continue to throw residual waste in the black bags.

3. Once you have filled the green bag with food waste, tie a solid double knot on the bag so that loose food waste does not leak into the container.

4. Then place the filled green food waste bag in the same container you use for the black residual waste bags.

5. Both your green food waste bags and the black residual waste bags will then be taken to a new colour separation plant in Aalborg East. Here, the plant separates the green food waste bags from the black bags with residual waste.

6. The food waste is then post-processed and converted into biogas (for Danish gas consumption) and fertilizer for agriculture.

7. You will have the opportunity to get new green bags when you run out - the procedure for this has not yet been finalized for all housing types.

You also have the option to return the kitchen bin from the starter pack if you do not wish to use it.

NOTE: Not all details are in place yet, so there may be minor changes to the scheme.

FAQ

Green food waste bags

Will I receive green bags for food waste?

Yes, you will receive 150 green bags in a starter pack during the 2nd quarter of 2024 (between April and June).

Can I use the green bags for anything other than food waste?

No, the green bags should only be used for food waste. It is important for recycling that there is no paper, plastic, metal, etc. in the bags.

What should I do when the green bag is full?

When the green bag is full or you think it needs to be thrown away, tie a solid double knot on the bag so that loose food waste does not end up in the container (for hygiene reasons and to prevent pests).

Then carefully place the green bag in the same container you use for the black residual waste bags. The pictogram on the container is similar to the pictogram below.

How is the quality of the new food waste bags?

The new 15 litre food waste bags have been thoroughly tested for durability and are 35 my. Compared to the 22 my residual waste bags, the food waste bags are more "liquid-proof".

Can I order new food waste bags when I run out?

You will have the opportunity to order/get new green bags when you run out - the procedure for this is not yet in place.

Containere

Do I need a new container if I live in a house?

No, you will not receive a new container. The green food waste bags should be placed in the same container as the black residual waste bags.

In the second quarter of 2024, new food waste stickers will be placed on the containers side by side with the residual waste sticker.

Will the containers be emptied more often?

No, there will be no change, as the amount of waste is the same.

I have received a sticker that I need to put on the container. How do I do it?

If you have received a sticker in your mailbox, it is because we have not been able to locate your container.

You can see instructions for attaching the sticker here:

Attachment of food and residual waste sticker.

Other questions

Why do the green food waste bags and the black residual waste bags have to go in the same container?

When the container is emptied, the green and black bags are transported to the new color separation plant at Nordværk in Aalborg East. Here, the green bags are separated from the black bags via an optical sensor.

In this way, we avoid putting new containers in driveways and establishing new buried containers in the city center.

What happens to the food waste?

After being separated from the black bags, the green food waste bags are cut open and sorted at the plant.

The food waste is then post-processed and converted into biogas and fertilizer for agriculture.

Can I return the kitchen bin from the starter pack?

Yes, we are working on a return system. The procedure for this is not yet in place.

Does food waste mean that my waste disposal costs will increase?

Your annual residual waste subscription will not increase in connection with the introduction of food waste.

What is food waste?

Food waste includes for example:

• Meat and fish waste
• Bread and cake leftovers
• Coffee grounds and coffee filters
• Tea bags (minus paper and string)
• Leftover fruit and vegetables - including peels and tops
• Eggshells
• Expired food
• Cut flowers