In Germany, the primary legal framework is the Circular Economy Act (Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz – KrWG), which aims to promote circular economy principles and the environmentally sound management of waste.

For the shipment of waste within the EU and between the EU and third countries, the relevant legislation is the EU Waste Shipment Regulation (Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006) and the corresponding German Waste Shipment Act (Abfallverbringungsgesetz – AbfVerbrG).

Waste is categorised into green, yellow, and red lists, depending on the type and hazard classification.

The Commercial Waste Ordinance (Gewerbeabfallverordnung – GewAbfV) governs the management of commercial municipal waste and certain types of construction and demolition waste.

Waste is categorised either as waste for recovery—such as recycling deposit bottles, composting, etc.—or as waste for disposal, such as incineration or landfilling.

In principle, waste producers and holders are required to recover or dispose of their waste themselves.

Municipal waste must be handed over to public waste management authorities for proper disposal.

In addition, specific waste streams—such as electrical and electronic equipment—must be taken to designated collection points, such as recycling centres or take-back facilities.

Illegal dumping constitutes an environmental offence and may result in fines and imprisonment.

Even landowners may be held liable—regardless of intent—if hazardous waste is found on their property.

In certain cases, a notification procedure is required for the shipment of waste within the EU or between the EU and third countries.

The waste shipper must submit a notification application to the competent authority at the place of dispatch. This authority then forwards the notification to the authority responsible at the place of destination.

Both authorities may issue statements and either approve or reject the proposed shipment.

The notification procedure is formal and regulated, and specific deadlines and documentation requirements must be observed.

A waste code is a six-digit number used to identify specific types of waste. It serves to standardise the classification of waste and is defined in the Waste Catalogue Ordinance (Abfallverzeichnis-Verordnung – AVV).

Nearly half of the classified waste types or waste codes have a corresponding mirror entry for hazardous waste. These wastes can be classified as either hazardous or non-hazardous, depending on their composition.

For example, “paint or varnish sludges containing organic solvents” are assigned to waste code 08 01 13* and are considered hazardous waste. In contrast, “paint or varnish sludges other than those mentioned in 08 01 13” are classified as non-hazardous waste.

Hazardous waste is always considered dangerous goods. Therefore, the relevant dangerous goods transport regulations must be observed, including the GGVSEB, ADR, RID, ADN, IMDG Code, ICAO-TI, and IATA-DGR.

Yes, numerous legal provisions apply depending on the type and hazardous nature of the waste. Examples include:

• Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act (ElektroG)
• Battery Act (BattG)
• Packaging Act (VerpackG)
• Waste Wood Ordinance (AltholzV)
• Waste Oil Ordinance (AltölV)
• End-of-Life Vehicles Ordinance (AltfahrzeugV)
• Single-Use Plastics Ban Ordinance (EWKVerbotV)
• Radiation Protection Ordinance (StrlSchV)
• Ordinance on the Disposal of Used Halogenated Solvents (HKWAbfV)

...and many more.

A Waste Management Officer is responsible for ensuring the proper disposal of waste within a company. The role is regulated by the Ordinance on Waste Management Officers (AbfBeauftrV), which also outlines the circumstances under which the appointment of a Waste Management Officer is mandatory for a business.