Waste prevention & advice

Charitable institutions accept well-preserved furniture, appliances and donations in kind, which they pass on to interested people. Their donations in kind are thus put to good use and help people who, for various reasons, cannot afford new purchases.

Often it's just a small matter, such as a break in the supply cable or a faulty fuse in the appliance, which can be fixed quickly.
Or something has simply broken off. Experienced volunteer craftsmen, technicians and engineers are on hand to help you at the Hilden repair club.

What is repaired?
Small battery-operated appliances and typical household and entertainment devices are very welcome. There is also someone who can repair mechanical appliances or toys.

Large appliances such as fridges and washing machines are not repaired. Smartphones and high-tech gadgets should also be taken to a friendly specialist dealer or workshop.

The city library at Nove-Mesto-Platz 3 has been offering a practical service for almost two years in the form of the "LeihBar". In addition to the familiar media, items of all kinds can also be borrowed from the Library of Things.

The items that can be borrowed include drills, a cordless window vacuum cleaner, a hand truck, a^CO2 measuring device, VR glasses and a sewing machine. There are now over one hundred items to choose from, such as various tools, outdoor games, handicraft accessories, electronic items, sports equipment, robots and much more.

With a valid library card, these items can be borrowed from the LeihBar for 28 days and renewed up to two times. There are no additional costs for borrowing. The loan is included in the annual fee.

Of course, you can also borrow or rent items or equipment that you rarely need. Simply search for an item you need on the Internet, e.g. using the terms "Hilden - rent - borrow"

The Packaging Act stipulates that since 01.01.2023, final distributors of disposable plastic food packaging and disposable drinks cups must also offer food and drinks in reusable packaging, including in the to-go area. The obligation to offer reusable packaging applies to companies where food and beverages are packaged or filled in disposable plastic food packaging or beverage cups for immediate consumption on site or as take-away meals (to-go area). This applies, for example, to restaurants, bistros, canteens, catering providers, cafés, but also supermarkets, petrol stations and other grocery stores.

The only exception is for very small businesses, such as snack bars, with a maximum of five employees and a store area of no more than 80 square meters. They can fill containers brought in by customers instead.

Consumers can actively contribute to reducing the consumption of single-use packaging by choosing reusable packaging. Disposable packaging, such as coffee-to-go cups or lunch boxes, are typically only used for a short time and then end up in the bin or, worse, in the environment. By avoiding single-use packaging, resources can be conserved and waste avoided.

With the introduction of the reusable packaging obligation, the first important step towards promoting reusable packaging and reducing the consumption of single-use packaging has been taken. Now the obligated companies must consistently implement the new obligation so that the use of reusable packaging and the filling of their own containers can become a familiar routine for consumers.

Reusable systems info sheet

Information sheet on reusable food