In the framework of the “Municipal know-how for host communities in the Middle East” Programme, Connective Cities organised a Study Tour on “Circular Waste Management in Germany” for Turkish municipalities in various cities in North Rhine Westphalia and Hamburg, Germany from 22nd – 27th November 2017.

The challenge of solid waste is best addressed with an effective circular waste management system on municipal level. In this context, the Connective Cities Study Tour for a delegation of Turkish waste management experts from Gaziantep, Hatay, Karesi, Konya and Pendik (Istanbul) has been organised  as follow-up activity of the Connective Cities Dialogue Event “From Waste to Resource - Integrated Municipal Solid Waste Management Solutions” in Kocaeli, Turkey in July 2017.

The programme included field visits to municipal facilities in Northrine-Westphalia and Hamburg as well as opportunities to discuss with German waste management experts. The agenda of the Study Tour responded to specific interests of the Turkish delegation and covered different dimensions of solid waste management:

• Background: Presentation on Local Self-Government in Germany (DST Cologne)
• Planning: Presentation on Integrated Solid Waste Management System (City Council Krefeld)
• Prevention/Reduction: Presentations AWA Eschweiler and City Council Krefeld
• Collection: Vehicle fleet GSAK in Krefeld, waste transloading station and operational planning AWB in Cologne
• Reuse/Recycling: Recycling centers in Krefeld (GSAK) and Eschweiler (AWA) , sorting facility for bulky waste EGN in Neuss
• Recovery: Incineration plant AVG in Cologne, composting plants in Eschweiler (AWA) and Hamburg (Stadtreinigung)

Main objectives on the one hand were to share practical examples of circular waste management on municipal level and to give an impulse to discussion for the Turkish visitors and German waste management experts. On the other hand, the study tour aimed to support networking and the development of project ideas.

The study tour has been organised by Connective Cities in close cooperation with United Cities and Local Governments Middle East and West Asia Section (UCLG-MEWA). The Initiative “Local Government Expertise for the Middle East”, which covers Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan, supports the implementation of project ideas through municipal project partnerships.  

After the Study Tour, the Turkish delegation had the opportunity to participate in the subsequent Connective Cities Dialogue Event on “Climate Protection through Circular Waste Management” in Hamburg, Germany to exchange good practices with other international experts and to develop ideas for implementable projects on municipal level.