From recycling centre to resource centre: Experiences and ideas from the practice of municipalities and syndicates

Successful seminar with around 70 participants from municipalities, the waste managment sector, and the social economy

On 30 October 2025, the Mouvement Ecologique and Oekozenter Pafendall hosted an engaging seminar entitled “From Recycling Centre to Resource Hub.” The event took place at the Centre Prince Henri in Walferdange, with the support of the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity and the municipality of Walferdange.

Around 70 participants – representatives from municipalities and syndicates, waste and resource management professionals, actors from the social sector, companies, and interested citizens – attended the event. The goal was to explore concrete ways to transform traditional recycling centres into true resource hubs focused on reuse, repair, and sharing.

After welcoming remarks from representatives of the Ministry and the municipality of Walferdange, Andrea Kostrowski from Deutsche Umwelthilfe presented the key findings of the “Grüner Wertstoffhof” (Green Recycling Centre) competition. She highlighted the success factors behind Germany’s most effective recycling centres – from clear visitor guidance and appealing design to reuse services and partnerships with social organisations.

Next, Tom Majeres, Director of CCN S.A. (Centre de Coordination Nationale pour l’Information, la Valorisation et le Compostage), provided insights into Luxembourg’s current developments. The CCN oversees six centres in the country, several of which have already taken significant steps towards reuse. He explained how existing recycling facilities in Luxembourg are gradually evolving into resource hubs, the challenges involved, and the opportunities for municipalities. Resource hubs are becoming key community spaces – with around 82,000 visits per year, the Hesperange site, for example, is one of the most frequently used municipal facilities after schools. Their role now extends well beyond traditional waste management.

Particular interest was sparked by the innovative reuse concepts presented – such as themed markets for toys or Christmas decorations – and by approaches to raising public awareness through transparent communication about material recovery. The collaboration with ECOTREL as part of the “Social Re-Use” project, which collected 6,000 devices, of which 85% were successfully resold, was also highlighted.

After the break, inspiring examples from Germany showed how waste management can be turned into successful resource conservation initiatives. Sebastian Seibel (Berlin City Cleaning Services – BSR), Konrad Reitinger (Straubing Waste Management Association), and Claudia Mayer (ZAK Kempten) presented innovative approaches from the “Green Recycling Centre” competition. Their projects – from Berlin’s Recyclinghof Plus with its second-hand store to comprehensive education and reuse programmes in Straubing and Sonthofen – clearly demonstrated how circular economy principles can be effectively applied in practice.

The seminar made it clear that transforming recycling centres into resource hubs is not only a legal requirement but also a major opportunity for municipalities: these centres can become places where sustainability comes to life – through reuse, repair, and social exchange.

Key topics discussed included:

• Networking resource hubs: Participants expressed openness to stronger cooperation between centres, though key organisational and financial questions remain unresolved. Discussions touched on how to coordinate priorities and on the national policy granting access to all citizens regardless of residence. Since the centres are mainly financed by municipalities, the question of funding for such important services was raised.
• Taxation of reused items: Different VAT rates currently apply depending on whether the operator is a social or commercial organisation. These discrepancies, along with double taxation, make reuse initiatives harder to implement – especially for second-hand store models. Participants questioned whether a reduced VAT rate should apply to reused goods.
• Repair of items: Repairing, especially electrical devices, remains challenging due to limited skilled personnel, access to spare parts, and legal uncertainties. It was noted that repair cafés do not compete with professional workshops, as fixing old devices is rarely economically viable for businesses. Instead, they complement the local repair ecosystem.

The seminar concluded with an informal exchange over a “Patt” offered by the municipality of Walferdange, during which many ideas and contacts were further developed.

The presentations and slides provided a wealth of concrete ideas and practical insights that can inspire municipalities across the country.

Sehen Sie hier den Video-Mitschnitt der Veranstaltung: