How can an important component of the circular economy be made even more sustainable? Valorlux, which operates packaging waste collection in Luxembourg, is focusing on reducing emissions during collection, among other things. REMONDIS Luxembourg, which has been commissioned to collect waste in four of the system provider’s six sub-areas since the beginning of 2025 following a tender process, is providing a suitable solution with its first battery-electric collection vehicle. And to make things even more sustainable, REMONDIS in Foetz supplies the vehicle with self-generated energy from its roof at its own charging station.
REMONDIS Luxembourg S.à r.l. emerged from the waste disposal company Horsch, which has been part of the REMONDIS Group since 2012. With more than 70 employees, it offers commercial customers a wide range of recycling solutions, from hazardous waste to document destruction. The takeover of the blue bag collection in large parts of the country was an important milestone in the company’s development, as it is the first time that it has been involved in household waste collection in Luxembourg.
First electric collection vehicle in Luxembourg
On 1 July 2025, Lex Delles, Minister for the Economy, SMEs, Energy and Tourism in the Grand Duchy, was even welcomed to the inauguration of two additional fast-charging stations with a total of four charging points. The two charging stations each have a fast charging capacity of 400 kW and replace a temporary solution that was previously used to charge the first electric collection vehicle.
REMONDIS has been operating the company site in Foetz since September 2021. Covering a total area of 22,000 square metres, the five operational halls house various facilities and an administration building.
The electric truck is being loaded (from left): Ralph Schmit (Branch Manager REMONDIS Luxembourg), Markus Krauss (Managing Director REMONDIS Industrie Service), Dirk-Friedrich Knäpper (Managing Director REMONDIS Luxembourg) und Lex Delles (Minister for Economy and Energy, Luxembourg)
Dirk-Friedrich Knäpper, managing director of REMONDIS Luxembourg, gives a positive interim assessment after the first few months. He also emphasises that the customer, Valorlux, is very satisfied.
“The vehicle is very reliable, and the daily range of 200 km without refuelling is sufficient. It really comes into its own in densely populated areas, where residents particularly appreciate the emission-free and quiet collection service.”
The use of an electric vehicle for waste collection is a novelty in Luxembourg and is therefore attracting a great deal of attention. A few days after the new charging stations were officially opened, Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, another member of the Luxembourg government, visited the company’s site in Foetz. The Environment Minister, who is also responsible for waste management, among other things, learned about the status of the circular economy and further options for its development. One topic of discussion was waste collection in the municipalities. There was agreement that municipal waste associations should give even greater consideration to emission-free waste collection in their tenders. Electric mobility would be a possible mainstay for this.
Environment Minister Serge Wilmes visited REMONDIS’ site in Foetz to find out about the current challenges facing the circular economy
In lively discussion (from left): Environment Minister Serge Wilmes, Branch Manager Ralph Schmit and Managing Director Dirk-Friedrich Knäpper
In Luxembourg, used packaging ends up in Valorlux’s blue bags. In 2023, nearly 1,400 members licensed more than 80,000 tonnes of household and commercial packaging through the system. The recycling rate is just over 70 per cent, and including other recovery methods, almost 90 per cent is reused.
Overall, the first electric vehicle at REMONDIS is unlikely to be the last, as the company currently has seven collection vehicles and around 20 other vehicles in Luxembourg. The company intends to continue moving towards electric mobility when replacing vehicles and expanding its collection fleet. After all, the two new charging stations need to be used.
REMONDIS Luxembourg was delighted to have the opportunity to welcome two such high-ranking visitors and to discuss current issues and challenges in the circular economy with the two politicians. Thank you very much for your interest!
Image credits: © Media Business Solution
