Press releases

A clean and well-maintained cityscape—this requires everyone to pitch in. Each and every one of us should treat our immediate surroundings and nature with care. And each and every one of us bears responsibility for this. “World Cleanup Day” on September 20, an official United Nations day of action, brings this issue into focus.

Because carelessly discarded trash is a hazard! Once waste enters the environment, it has far-reaching economic and ecological consequences: pollutants are released, and the waste breaks down into small pieces that are dangerous to wildlife and plants on land and in waterways.

The employees of the Aachen City Services’ street cleaning department work every day to keep Aachen clean. 138 employees work in two shifts, including on weekends, using small and large street sweepers, flatbed trucks, bicycles, and—in the traditional way—on foot with hand-pushed sweepers.

The city of Aachen has been committed to waste prevention and recycling for many years, and in October 2021, it became the second German city to sign the “Circular City Declaration,” thereby committing to the sustainable use of resources. Through various programs and projects, the municipal utility raises awareness about waste separation and disposal. Manuela Wolf, a staff member with the municipal utility’s city sanitation department, emphasizes: “Keeping the city clean can only work if everyone works together.” For example, residents can get involved year-round in private waste collection campaigns: Clubs, daycare centers, schools, or groups can contact the city’s municipal services department, which will provide them with trash bags and gloves for their volunteer efforts. The collected waste is picked up by the city sanitation team after coordination with the city’s public works department. Registrations can be made via the service portal: https://serviceportal.aachen.de/suche/-/vr-bis-detail/dienstleistung/5238760/show.