Borkum, the westernmost East Frisian island, is a popular tourist destination that sees its population multiply in summer. This seasonal influx creates significant pressure on local waste systems. Waste must be shipped to the mainland, an expensive, time-consuming process, and landfill space on the island is extremely limited. Recycling options are constrained, and poor waste handling threatens the surrounding Wadden Sea, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Why this pilot?
Borkum represents a typical island challenge: how to deal with tourism-driven waste in a way that’s cost-effective, locally manageable, and ecologically safe. The island is looking to:
- Reduce its reliance on long-distance waste transport
- Prevent food waste across the tourism and retail sectors
- Explore decentralised solutions like “recycling islands”
- Involve businesses, residents and visitors in sustainable practices
This pilot provides an opportunity to rethink island waste systems and inspire circular practices in tourism.
What’s being done?
With support from Jade Hochschule and the 3ST network, Borkum stakeholders have:
- Hosted vision-building workshops for a sustainable Borkum
- Launched creative community initiatives to reduce food waste
- Started local “think tanks” to explore new waste solutions
- Brought together key players from hospitality, retail, culture and government
Together, these actors are developing change strategies that can be implemented in everyday tourism life.
Who is involved and what’s the 3ST approach?
Coordinating partner: Jade Hochschule (University of Applied Sciences)
Local actors on Borkum include:
- Art Hotel Bakker / FeWo Insellust (Sören Hüppe & Verena Sülberg)
- Nordseeheilbad Borkum GmbH (Pia Hosemann)
- Hotel 4 Jahreszeiten / AG Ems
- Municipality of Borkum (Sandra Franke)
- EDEKA Borkum
- DEHOGA, Borkum Aktuell, Kulturinsel, and local tradespeople
The pilot uses the Theory of Change (ToC) method to co-create goals, test local interventions, and refine strategies based on feedback. Tourism professionals are trained and supported to adopt circular and sustainable practices.
What will it deliver?
- A local food waste reduction strategy tailored to tourism
- Concepts for decentralised waste handling and recycling
- A model for circular hospitality on small islands
- Stronger sustainability skills within Borkum’s tourism sector
This pilot contributes to the 3ST mission by showing how even isolated destinations can take collective action toward circular tourism.
Want to know more?
Jade Hochschule – University of Applied Sciences
Friedrich-Paffrath-Straße 101
26389 Wilhelmshaven, Germany
🔗 Project page (DE)
📧 Prof. Dr. Enno Schmoll: schmoll@jade-hs.de
📧 Betti Keese: betti.keese@jade-hs.de