Many citizens in Bavaria have to be prepared for rising garbage fees. For example, the residents of the Hof district in northern Bavaria: The last time the fees were increased in 2009, District Administrator Oliver Bär (CSU) recently stated. In 2014 the fees were even reduced. “Recently, however, the situation has changed significantly, so that there is now a need for action.” In order to be able to continue to cover costs, the fees should increase by around 30 percent. For the 80-liter barrel, the fee was previously 139.20 euros per year, from January onwards it would be 180.96 euros. The district council still has to approve the plans.
Increases in fees for waste disposal are also planned in Hof, Würzburg and Fürth. The increase will be necessary due to an annual decrease in the city’s fee budget of almost one million euros in each case in the years 2017 to 2019, said town hall spokeswoman Susanne Kramer in Fürth. But it was also decided that “the city will pay more attention to waste prevention strategies in the future”.
The citizens of the Ostallgäu district also have to be prepared for a fee increase. “For an average household that means additional costs of around 30 euros per year,” said spokesman Stefan Leonhart. The reasons are the increased amount of waste and a decrease in revenues from the sale of recyclable materials. In addition, the corona pandemic caused additional costs: The recycling centers are open longer in order to be able to comply with the hygiene rules when handing in.
According to the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU), fees for waste disposal should cover the costs. Municipalities and their waste disposal companies could not act as they see fit. “A fee calculation always takes place according to the specifications of the municipal tax law in the respective federal state,” emphasized a spokeswoman. Basically, garbage fees are difficult to compare. “Waste fees can include different services, which is also reflected in the fee.” Disposal costs are lower in more densely populated cities than in rural areas, where longer distances have to be covered. The municipalities also handle the collection of bulky waste differently: Some cities and districts therefore offer free collection, but offset this with the garbage fees. When calculating the fees, it also plays a role whether fermentation or incineration plants still have to be written off.
In the state capital Munich, too, the costs for the citizens are rising: Because the Munich waste management company (AWM) is increasing the fees as of January 1, 2022. Previously, weekly emptying of an 80-liter residual waste bin would cost 237.12 euros per year it is 305.76 euros. The 1,100 liter bin, which is often found in apartment buildings, costs 2,324.40 euros, up from 1,800.24 euros so far. This payment also covers the collection of the paper and bio bins.