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Hamburg battles winter chaos as schools reopen and waste piles up

Snowy streets and uncollected trash test Hamburg’s resilience. With schools reopening tomorrow, can the city keep up with winter’s demands?

The image shows a snowy road with footprints in the snow on the side of it. On the left side of the...
The image shows a snowy road with footprints in the snow on the side of it. On the left side of the road there is a fence, and in the background there are trees, houses, poles, and a clear sky. There is also a trash bin/can in the image.

Hamburg battles winter chaos as schools reopen and waste piles up

Hamburg’s winter services have been working overnight to keep roads clear as schools prepare to reopen tomorrow. Crews have spread around 80 metric tons of de-icing salt since yesterday afternoon. Despite the efforts, delays in waste management and sidewalk maintenance remain an issue for residents.

Standby teams of 13 workers each have been on night shifts from 12:50 AM to 3:00 AM to de-ice key routes. Road conditions are currently stable, but drivers are still urged to reduce speed and ensure their vehicles have suitable tyres.

Property owners must clear and grit sidewalks adjacent to their buildings by 8:30 AM on weekdays, particularly with schools returning. Meanwhile, Stadtreinigung handles traffic-critical areas like bridges, parks, and bus stops where no private owners are responsible.

Waste collections have faced setbacks due to staff being redirected to winter maintenance. Residents are asked to leave unemptied bins at the curb—they will be picked up as soon as possible. Christmas tree collections are also delayed but will resume once conditions improve.

The city has prioritised road safety, but ongoing winter work continues to affect other services. Residents should monitor updates on waste management collections while ensuring sidewalks meet clearance deadlines. Schools are set to reopen tomorrow as scheduled.

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