Waste expert Friedrich Scholte-Reh is retiring after 32 years!

Waste expert Friedrich Scholte-Reh is retiring after 32 years!

A striking farewell is imminent: Friedrich Scholte-Reh, the head of the Office for the Environment and Waste Management who was responsible for waste management in the Zollernalb district for over three decades, will retire. He will officially end his work on June 25, 2025, but will remain active in beekeeping and in the fruit and horticultural association. His farewell will be officially celebrated on October 1st, but many will already be mourning him at the end of June.

Scholte-Reh, who has been in the district office since January 1, 1991, has given decisive impetus to waste management. His commitment shaped the development of the new waste management office and the associated infrastructure. It first became famous for the introduction of the organic waste bin in 1991, when the Zollernalbkreis was the first district in Baden-Württemberg to dare to take this step.

Scholte-Reh and waste management

Throughout his career, Scholte-Reh introduced innovative projects such as a household waste weighing system, in operation since 2001, and an on-demand bulky waste service. What is particularly noteworthy is his keen eye on the bureaucratic challenges that characterize waste management. “The complexity of the dual system and the associated bureaucracy are worthy of criticism,” he said in one of his last public appearances. This issue is not new and has been discussed for decades, particularly since the introduction of the Waste Disposal Act of 1972 and the European regulations on waste prevention issued in 1974, such as this Federal Environment Agency represents.

Under Scholte-Reh's leadership, waste management in the Zollernalb district has continuously improved. In keeping with the current waste hierarchy, which sees prevention as the top priority, Scholte-Reh also focused on innovative projects such as the “Smart Food” pilot project, which aims to reduce food waste. His commitment is not only to avoiding waste, but also to educating the population about the responsible use of resources.

A look at waste management in Germany

Waste management in Germany has undergone remarkable development over the years. The Circular Economy Act (KrWG), which has been in force since July 1, 2021, highlights the responsibilities of producers with regard to the life cycle assessment of their products. In addition, the obligation to separately collect waste paper, used glass, plastic and organic waste has become an integral part of waste management since 2015 in order to make sensible use of the material potential, explains LUBW.

Germany struggles with a net waste generation of around 350 million tons annually. Of this, construction and demolition waste accounts for around 60%, while municipal waste and hazardous waste account for another 14% and 5%, respectively. The challenges in waste management are enormous, but thanks to the multitude of initiatives and laws, the industry is making progress towards environmentally friendly disposal practices and waste prevention.

Scholte-Reh's career was characterized by a tireless commitment to better waste management. With his departure, not only an experienced person is retiring, but also a true visionary who always had the well-being of the environment and the community in mind. The dynamism he brought to waste management will certainly continue to resonate in the future.