Evaluation of the biobin exemption applications
Drawing up a matrix for assessing biobin exemption applications for the town of Wasserburg am Inn
At the beginning of 2018, Wasserburg am Inn introduced the biobin within its entire area with mandatory participation and use for all properties. Properties with confined spaces (mainly in the old town) or which operate their own at-source composting with participation obligation, can apply to be exempted from the biobin.
During the first half of 2018, several hundred exemption applications were submitted. The town of Wasserburg is now faced with the task of checking all applications and of undertaking a uniform and indisputably objective assessment of the applications.
bifa Umweltinstitut was engaged to draw up an assessment system, in which the focus is on exemption applications due to at-source compositing. As the first step, in an internal workshop with bifa experts, the criteria specified by the town were defined in greater detail. These were then incorporated in a questionnaire. The criteria, which have to be fulfilled for a (positive) application decision, could be assessed objectively after applicants had answered the questions. The questionnaire was sent to all applicants in the autumn and was then evaluated.
In addition to purely formal questions regarding the size of the garden and the number of people in the household, questions also covered the type and duration of at-source composting practised. The questionnaire also includes a knowledge test, which the applicants should pass. This includes questions on the best location for the composter, use of the compost produced, and features for identifying mature compost and for avoiding infestation. The case in which the applicant themselves did not take care of the at-source composting on their own property, but assigned the task to other persons was also covered in the form of a self-declaration on the technical and objective suitability of the proxy composter.
The assessment matrix is used on the one hand to document the completed questionnaires digitally, as well as to bring about an indisputable decision with regard to the applications. On setting up the matrix, attention was paid to easy usability and largely self-explanatory handling. This enables simple and error-free operation.
The questionnaire is based on the by-laws and content standards of Wasserburg am Inn. The assessment matrix picks up the questions from the questionnaire and at the end of the input gives a recommendation for acceptance, rejection or obtaining extended information. The content of the questionnaire and assessment matrix is individually adjustable and can be adapted or extended to many other by-law-based legal requirements and content criteria or issues.