Freiburg is known internationally as one of the birth places of the environmental protection movement, with the city council publically advocating solar over atomic energy as early as Today Freiburg stands as a sustainable exemplar, a city in which sustainable thinking is visible in every aspect of its design.
International delegations come to view Freiburg's progressive policies in actions, from its acclaimed waste management concept, to its wide-spread use of renewable energy, to its urban transport and mobility policy.
The city of Freiburg provides citizens with a waste management system that is both ecologically and economically sustainable. The city's waste management policy is structured on a hierarchical set of principles, favouring waste prevention, followed by waste recovery, and finally ecological disposal. Citizens are encouraged, through communications campaigns and financial incentives, to separate waste and to cut down on the waste they generate.
Freiburg serves as a good example for the combination of waste management and energy production. In Freiburg was one the first cities to introduce organic waste containers. The compostable waste is transformed into biogas by means of a fermentation plant, and the gas then further transformed into electricity. The fermentation residues are composted. Closed landfills are utilised to generate electricity. Due to the decomposition process of the organic waste, gas is produced which consists partially of methane.
The gas is vacuumed out under controlled conditions, processed and used at a combined heating and power station four kilometres away. Management of the environment has long been a key factor in the economy. In Freiburg, this is supported by the citizens. As a Green City, Freiburg has become a model and example for cities and communities across the globe. This recognition honors and also motivates us to develop new ideas and work towards the achievement of our goals.
