Collected 350,000 Bottles: Celebrate with a Deposit for Your Birthday!
In a unique collaboration, Hinz&Kunzt, Hamburg Airport, and Green Dot have joined forces to launch the "Donate Your Deposit" project, marking its first anniversary with a celebration. This initiative empowers travellers to make a difference by donating their refundable bottle deposits when returning bottles and cans at the airport. The funds raised are then channelled to support the social work of Hinz&Kunzt, a Hamburg-based organisation dedicated to helping homeless individuals.
The project, which started amidst heated arguments between Hinz&Kunzt and "the airport", has proven to be a resounding success. Over the past year, not a single shift has been missed by the dedicated crew, who have been working tirelessly, often alone, even on holidays. This reliability has been praised by Stephan Karrenbauer, project leader and social worker at Hinz&Kunzt.
To facilitate the collection process, Hinz&Kunzt hired three deposit commissioners for the project. One of these commissioners, Klaus, can often be seen pushing collection containers through the terminal. Although he misses selling the street magazine, Klaus remains passionate about recycling, finding it "really important".
The project has not only brought about a positive environmental impact but has also created a significant social impact. Georgi, a Hinz&Kunzt deposit manager, is a testament to this. Having previously lived in two church cottages with eight people, Georgi is now able to provide a home for his family, thanks to the financial stability provided by his job with Hinz&Kunzt.
Moreover, the men working on the project have taken it upon themselves to collect water bottle caps voluntarily for the Rotary project "Lid against Polio". The revenue from 500 water bottle caps is enough to finance one vaccination for the project.
Lea Sophie Schoen, the project leader, has expressed her belief that the project demonstrates the amount of money we throw away every day. She has also shared that the project has changed her perspective on bottle collectors, viewing them as valuable contributors to society.
The cooperation project between the three organisations is entering its second year, with eight collection containers now in place, compared to the initial six. This partnership, which has successfully pacified the topic of bottle collecting at the airport, according to Johannes Scharnberg, the main initiator of the project, serves as a shining example of how sustainability and social causes can be effectively linked.
Despite the success of the project, there have been challenges. J, a former member of the crew, will not have his contract renewed due to health reasons, and the half-time position created later will not be filled until the next high season. An online petition was used to protest against complaints filed by "the airport" against bottle collectors, further highlighting the need for such initiatives.
Photographs for a photo gallery commemorating the first year of the "Donate Your Deposit" project were taken by Sybille Arendt. As the project continues to grow and evolve, it serves as a beacon of hope and sustainability at Hamburg Airport.
- The "Donate Your Deposit" project, initially met with heated arguments, has proven to be a resounding success, with Hinz&Kunzt deploying three deposit commissioners like Klaus, who passionately recycles bottles and cans.
- This project, which has caught the attention of Stephan Karrenbauer, has not only brought about a positive environmental impact but also a significant social one, transforming lives such as that of Georgi, a deposit manager, who now provides a home for his family.
- In addition to the bottle deposit collection, the men working on the project also voluntarily collect water bottle caps for the Rotary project "Lid against Polio", funding one vaccination with 500 caps.
- Lea Sophie Schoen, the project leader, believes the project highlighting the amount of money we throw away daily, and has changed her perspective on bottle collectors, viewing them as valuable contributors to society.
- The cooperation project between Hinz&Kunzt, Hamburg Airport, and Green Dot is expanding into its second year, with eight collection containers now in place, demonstrating how sustainability and social causes can be effectively linked.
