Cologne
Solarpunk ideas and local initiatives growing in Cologne.
- Ideas
- 6
- Initiatives
- 14
- Participants
- 0
Cologne on the map
Top ideas in Cologne
Get a Biotonne: close the compost loop
The simplest “zero waste” win in Cologne About 40% of what lands in the grey residual bin is compostable organic waste. In Niehl it is burned: costing money, CO₂, and fertile matter that could return to parks and gardens as torffreier Kölner Kompost. What you can do - Ask your landlord for the free brown Biotonne (tenants can use Zero Waste Köln’s postcard template on their project page). - Line the bin with newspaper, keep it in the shade, and skip “compostable” plastic bags: they need industrial conditions Cologne’s plants do not offer. - Buy Kölner Kompost or Blumenerde from AWB/AVG outlets (the Verein advocates more neighbourhood pick-up points). Why it matters Separate bio collection has been mandatory in Germany since 2015, but Cologne households still need to request the bin. Less bio in residual waste can mean a smaller (cheaper) grey bin. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Facts and advocacy: Biotonne & Kompost · Collection rules: AWB Köln · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.
Swap clothes with Team Tausch
Tauschen statt verbrennen: swap instead of burning Team Tausch runs small and large Kleidertausch events across Cologne. An estimated quarter of wardrobe pieces never get worn; locally, thousands of tonnes of still-wearable textiles are incinerated each year. Swapping keeps joy in fashion without the waste. What happens at a swap - Bring clean, good-condition clothes you no longer wear; take home something new-to-you. - Volunteers help with setup, guest welcome, sorting on racks, and (at larger events) a textile repair corner. - Many evenings end with music and drinks at partner venues such as the Wohngemeinschaft. Join in - Drop in as a visitor: dates are on the event calendar. - Volunteer for a 4-hour shift (no fixed commitment); cafés and community spaces can host new locations. Why it matters Swapping keeps wearable textiles out of incineration and builds neighbourhood joy around fashion without new purchases. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Details: Kleidertausch-Events · Kalender · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.
Bring Zero Waste into schools
Education as a lever for less waste Zero Waste Köln works in schools and out-of-school settings so young people learn separation, avoidance, and circular thinking: not guilt, but practical habits. Current offers - Bildungskoffer (in development with Universität Köln): a lending kit on waste, avoidance, and sorting for primary schools. - Schulausstellung “Zero Waste Parcours”: travelling exhibition formats (see project pages for availability). - Public talks and VHS evenings listed on the calendar. For teachers and parents Reach Team Schule/Bildung via bildung@zerowastekoeln.de for visits, materials, and volunteering (pedagogy helpful, not required). Why it matters Young people who learn separation and avoidance early carry those habits into adulthood, multiplying impact across households. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Bildungsarbeit · Bildungskoffer · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.
Greener carnival: sustainable Veedelszüge
Karneval can be loud, joyful, and lighter on waste The AG Nachhaltige Veedelzüge brings together BKB Verlag, Cradle to Cradle NGO Köln, Scientists for Future Köln/Bonn, and Zero Waste Köln. The aim: carnival tradition that respects materials: costumes, floats, Kamelle: without preaching from the sidelines. What the AG offers - Growing guide “Zoch ohne Driss” with tips for costumes, throws, and parade logistics. - A shared database of ideas and field reports (filter “Idee Karneval”): submit your best practice with photo rights. - Second-hand costume markets and swaps across Cologne in January/February (dates on their page). - Mini booklet giveaway “Pänz feiern Jeck - ganz ohne Dreck” for participating parades. Get involved Ideas, photos, and questions: AG-Nachhaltige-Veedelszuege@posteo.de Why it matters Karneval draws huge crowds; lighter throws and reused costumes cut parade-day waste without dampening the festivity. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Full programme: AG Nachhaltige Veedelzüge · Organisers: partners named on that page.
Rescue deposit glass at street festivals
Pfand back into the loop: not the grey bin At parades and mega-events, returnable glass often misses the deposit system. Zero Waste Köln volunteers collect bottles so they reach supermarkets and breweries instead of residual waste or incineration. What you can do - Join parade and festival glass collections, email aktionen@zerowastekoeln.de - Bring gloves and sturdy bags; many collectors focus on plastic, glass needs extra hands Recent impact (from their project stories) - Sülzer Veedelszug 2025: 600 bottles with KG Grüne Rheinfunken (logistics: Gaffel). - Cologne Pride 2025: 6,500 bottles with Rheinfunken, Cradle2Cradle, Zukunft feiern, Grüngürtelrosen, Veedelperlen. - gamescom festival: 120 beer crates of empties with Feiermacher. Why it matters Every bottle returned to Pfand keeps glass in the brewery loop instead of residual waste or street litter after mega-events. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Background: Zero Waste Schweif: glass tips · Example event: CSD glass collection · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.Initiatives in Cologne
Autumn swap at the Wohngemeinschaft
Second 2026 date at the same beloved location Same relaxed format as June: racks, mirrors, community atmosphere: free your wardrobe and find pre-loved treasures. When & where - Sunday 13 September 2026, 15:00-19:00 CEST - Richard-Wagner-Str. 39, Cologne Source & repost Solarpunker reposts this event listing. Event page · Kalender · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.World Cleanup Day in the Stadtwald
Litter pick, nature, and family-friendly time outdoors Zero Waste Köln teams up with Querwaldein for World Cleanup Day: linked to Weltkindertag with litter collection, likely picnic, and nature activities. When & where - Sunday 20 September 2026 - Stadtwald Cologne (exact meeting point on event page when published) Source & repost Solarpunker reposts this event listing. Event page · Kalender · Organisers: Zero Waste Köln e.V. & QuerwaldeinZwirn & Zement: swap festival
Team Tausch’s big Kleidertauschfestival returns A full-day swap celebration: more rails, more neighbours, more reason to skip fast fashion for an afternoon. When & where - Saturday 10 October 2026, 11:00-19:00 CEST - Venue to be confirmed on the event page (2025 edition: Kulturbunker Mülheim: map pin is approximate) Save the date Details and any entry rules will be published on Zero Waste Köln’s site as the festival nears. Source & repost Solarpunker reposts this event listing. Event page · Kalender · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.Board-game day with swap in Weidenpesch
Spieletag: free play, swap, and games flea market Pick a game from the shelf, trade titles you have outgrown, or haggle gently at the flea market. Hosted with Evangelische Begegnungsgemeinde Köln. When & where - Sunday 25 October 2026, 14:00-19:00 CEST - Erlöserkirche Weidenpesch, Derfflinger Str. 9, 50737 Cologne - Tram: Mollwitzstr. (12, 15) or Neusser Str./Gürtel (12, 13, 15) - Step-free access Good to know Free entry, no registration required. Source & repost Solarpunker reposts this event listing. Event page · Kalender · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.Free VHS talk: tap water & Refill
Leitungswasser statt Plastikmüll Is Cologne tap water really “jot”? What about old lead pipes, microplastics, and the blue Refill stickers on shop windows? An evening with Jan Odenthal (Zero Waste Köln). When & where - Tuesday 3 November 2026, 18:00-19:30 CET - VHS Köln, Cäcilienstr. 35 Cost Free: registration via VHS / event page as listed by the organiser. Source & repost Solarpunker reposts this event listing. Event page · Kalender · Organisers: Zero Waste Köln e.V. & VHS KölnKids' clothes swap in Deutz
Baby and children's Kleidertausch: outgrown but still loved Kids grow fast; this swap lets families pass on jumpers and onesies that still have life in them. When & where - Sunday 15 November 2026, 12:00-16:00 CET - Bürgerzentrum Deutz, Tempelstr. 41-43, Cologne With Bürgerzentrum Deutz: cooperation named on the organiser’s event page. Source & repost Solarpunker reposts this event listing. Event page · Kalender · Organiser: Zero Waste Köln e.V.Nearby in the Cologne region
Ideas and initiatives from neighbouring cities in the wider Cologne area.