The dangers in rubbish: Part 4/4

Illegal deposits and their consequences for people and the environment

With the arrival of spring and rising temperatures, the number of “illegal deposits” in Frankfurt increases. These include, on the one hand, unregistered bulky waste that citizens place on the street, and on the other hand, construction debris, old tires, containers with oil, diesel or gasoline, and other hazardous waste that is illegally disposed of in urban green areas.

Last year, there were more than 7,000 orders to the Frankfurter Entsorgungs- und Service GmbH (FES) to dispose of these illegal deposits. If they are smaller than one cubic meter, they are collected by street cleaning. If they are larger than one cubic meter, they are collected by FES waste logistics, i.e., with the bulky waste vehicle. If it is an illegal deposit that causes traffic obstruction, FES’s Mobile Rapid Cleaning comes into action. Hazardous substances such as used oil, diesel, or car batteries illegally disposed of in the city are collected separately and disposed of through hazardous waste collection.

Illegal deposits and their consequences

Improper disposal of bulky waste and hazardous substances poses a significant risk to both the environment and people. Diesel, used oil, or gasoline can leak and enter the groundwater via the sewage system. The risk of fire should not be underestimated. Illegally disposed green waste can cause tripping hazards; mirrors or glass can break and cause injuries to humans and animals. It can also be dangerous if batteries or car batteries are stored in bulky waste furniture. If damaged in the waste vehicle during compression, they can cause fires.

Proper disposal of unwanted furniture or old electrical appliances is simple and quick, by phone or online. Up to 10 cubic meters of bulky waste are collected free of charge within a few days. It is helpful if the bulky waste is already sorted into scrap metal, wood, and large electrical appliances, as FES collects them with three different vehicles.

What belongs in bulky waste?

• Electrical appliances (e.g., TVs, refrigerators, computers)
• Wood and scrap metal (e.g., shelves, cabinets, tables, chairs)
• Remaining bulky waste (e.g., carpets, mattresses, plastic furniture)

More information about bulky waste registration:
https://www.fes-frankfurt.de/informatives-frankfurtplus/sperrmuell

Hazardous substances can be dropped off at the recycling center or during the mobile hazardous waste collection, which takes place on fixed dates in various Frankfurt districts.

More information about hazardous waste collection:
https://www.fes-frankfurt.de/services/schadstoffsammlung

Illegal deposits can also be reported by phone at 0800 200 8007-10 or by email at services@fes-frankfurt.de.