Digitalization in waste management

If hazardous waste or waste containing persistent organic pollutants (“POP waste”) is transferred, the waste transferor has to issue and sign a document in paper form - a so-called “consignment note”. This document, signed by the transporter, must be carried with the waste during the whole transportation. The waste acceptors has to confirm the waste take over by signing the consignment note and transmit the data electronically to the authority. All consignment notes must also be kept for documentation purposes. The entire process is to be digitalized.

Complete digitalization of existing, partly paper-based processes. Simplification of communication between the parties involved by means of digital interfaces and communication in real time.

An initial prototype of the solution for the fully electronic processing of the consignment note was created in collaboration between the BMLUK and Umweltbundesamt GmbH and tested for practical suitability with municipal associations and pilot companies. With the engagement of Cloudflight GmbH, the digital transformation was accelerated through the further development of a cooperative system.

A mobile solution for drivers of transport vehicles is also essential for its acceptance: with the transport module, transport information can also be easily generated by transporters. This transport information is available in real time to all parties involved and also to the control authorities.

Participation in the system is dependent on the existing ERP solutions of waste management companies or the integration of the fully electronic consignment note procedure into their own software for waste records and balances. This enables the creation of an electronic transport document as part of the fully electronic data exchange between business partners. This is also available for the transportation of goods that are transported together with waste. Electronic information on freight transportation, which is currently being developed at EU level, can be integrated.

Manufacturers are obliged to take responsibility for their products even after their life cycle, i.e. when they become waste. This is ensured by participating in collection and recycling systems. To ensure that online retailers also meet their obligations, foreign retailers must nominate an authorized representative and apply to be included in a register. The biggest challenge arises in the packaging sector, where more than 10,000 affected parties submit applications, which confronts the BMLUK with the challenge of efficient processing.

Time-consuming, manual, step-by-step procedures are to be automated and clearly structured in order to relieve employees, customers and applicants, enable reporting and reduce the workload.

A web application for authorized representatives was developed in just 169 working days to cope with the additional work involved in appointing and reviewing applications of authorized representatives from foreign online retailers. The "authorized representative application" enables the digital transmission of structured data to meet the legal requirements of the applications, including the corresponding proof in the areas of packaging (including disposable plastic products), old electrical appliances and batteries, and ensures that all information is available and can be processed further. Many of the previously manual process steps have been significantly accelerated, from input and verification to the sending of postal letters after approval by the BMLUK. As a result, the BMLUK and the Umweltbundesamt GmbH have been significantly relieved of the workload involved in registering 9,903 authorizations to date.