BDE
BDE (Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V.) is a Berlin-based German trade association founded in 1961 representing private waste management, water, and circular-economy companies, offering membership services, professional seminars, and EU-level policy advocacy.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1961
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What BDE does
BDE (Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V.) is a Berlin-headquartered German trade association founded in 1961 that represents private-sector companies in the waste management, water, and circular economy industries. It functions as the sector's primary federal industry body, with a Brussels office for EU policy representation, and operates a registered-association (e.V.) governance model led by President Matthias Harms and Managing Director (Hauptgeschäftsführer) Dr. Andreas Bruckschen since May 2026. The association does not develop technology products; its operational platform consists of a website, a Beekeeper-based member app, and a physical event venue (Haus der Kreislaufwirtschaft) in Berlin.
BDE's service portfolio centers on member services and professional development. Core products include a series of paid seminars covering waste law, dangerous goods (ADR) transport, recycling, controlling, and disposal operations — delivered as open-enrollment programs in Berlin and as in-house training at member facilities, with member vs. non-member pricing differentials (e.g., €340 vs. €420 for a standard eANV seminar). Supporting products include the BDE-direkt member newsletter, working groups such as the Arbeitskreis Verpackungsentsorgung, the Brennpunkt: Batterie lithium-battery safety campaign, and joint policy programs with VBS (Sofortprogramm Kreislaufwirtschaft) and HDB (Tag der Mineralik). The association also publishes research and policy positions, notably a priority-measures catalogue addressed to the EU Commission for 2024-2029.
Revenue is generated through two streams: recurring annual membership fees from ordinary members (private waste management companies) and supporting members (suppliers, vehicle manufacturers, IT vendors, insurers), and per-participant seminar/training fees. The member base spans 42 countries across 6 continents and includes enterprise names such as ALBA, REMONDIS, Aurubis, Umicore, Daimler Truck, and AMCS, but the association is small (11-50 employees) and does not publicly disclose financial results. The GTM motion is relationship-driven, combining direct member engagement, industry events, digital communications, and policy advocacy rather than a transactional sales model.
BDE firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BDE
- Legal name
- BDE Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V.
- Website
- https://bde.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1961
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BDE (Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V.) is a Berlin-based German trade association founded in 1961 representing private waste management, water, and circular-economy companies, offering membership services, professional seminars, and EU-level policy advocacy.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where BDE is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
BDE business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Fees: BDE generates revenue through membership fees from ordinary (ordentliche) and supporting (fördernde) member companies. Ordinary members are companies in private legal form engaged in operational waste management activities.
- Seminars and Training: The association offers professional development seminars and training programs for members and non-members of the waste management industry. Pricing varies between members and non-members.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Standard Seminar - eANV and Abfallnachweisführung |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Two-day Seminar - Disposition und Fuhrparksteuerung |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | GewAbfV Seminar |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Befähigte Person - Behälterprüfung |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Controlling with Unternehmenssimulationen |
| Subscription | Annual | Membership Fees |
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
BDE product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BDE is a German federal trade association (e.V.) for the waste management, water, and circular economy industry. Its core offerings consist of membership services, professional development seminars on waste law and dangerous goods transport, policy advocacy at national and EU levels, industry research and publications, and member networking through the Beekeeper digital communication platform and events such as 'Tag der Mineralik'. The association also coordinates awareness campaigns (e.g., Brennpunkt: Batterie) and policy programs (Sofortprogramm Kreislaufwirtschaft).
Product overview
BDE (Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V.) is Germany's federal association for the waste management, water, and circular economy industry. Rather than a technology product company, BDE operates as an industry association providing services to its members. The core offerings include professional development seminars (BDE Seminare) covering waste law, dangerous goods transport, recycling, and business skills; the BDE-direkt exclusive member newsletter; the Beekeeper mobile app for member communication; and the Brennpunkt: Batterie awareness campaign on battery disposal safety. BDE also publishes research and policy positions, operates working groups like the Packaging Recycling Working Group (Arbeitskreis Verpackungsentsorgung), and coordinates initiatives such as the Sofortprogramm Kreislaufwirtschaft with partner associations. The association does not offer a software product, API, or AI-powered technology platform.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Beekeeper: Digital communication platform for BDE members - a central, modern platform for information, exchange and networking within the association
- Brennpunkt: Batterie
- Sofortprogramm Kreislaufwirtschaft
- BwDE - Bildungswerk der Deutschen Entsorgungswirtschaft
- BDE-direkt
- Haus der Kreislaufwirtschaft
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 6,000 participants educated through BDE seminars
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use BDE
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
BDE technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
BDE partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered key partner and supporting partner.
- Hauptverband der Deutschen Bauindustrie e.V. (HDB)key partnerJoint organization of 'Tag der Mineralik' conference on mineral construction materials and circular economy in construction. Both associations jointly advocate for circular economy in public procurement.
- AMCS BVsupporting partnerSupporting member providing software solutions for waste management and recycling industry.
- F. X. MEILLER Fahrzeug- und Maschinenfabrik GmbH & Co. KGsupporting partnerSupporting member - vehicle and machinery manufacturer for waste management industry.
- Daimler Truck AGsupporting partnerSupporting member - commercial vehicle manufacturer for waste collection and transport.
- SSI SCHÄFER Fritz Schäfer GmbH & Co. KGsupporting partnerSupporting member - storage and handling systems for waste and recycling.
- ZÖLLER-KIPPER GmbHsupporting partnerSupporting member - truck body and crane solutions for waste management.
- Palfinger GmbHsupporting partnerSupporting member - lifting solutions for waste management vehicles.
- Hübener Versicherungs AGsupporting partnerSupporting member - insurance services tailored to waste management industry.
- Beekeeperkey partnerDigital communication platform provider for BDE's member app, enabling centralized information sharing and networking.
- Verband der Bayerischen Entsorgungsunternehmen e.V. (VBS)key partnerBavarian state association partner; joint seminar pricing offered to members of both organizations; collaboration on industry events and policy representation.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BDE competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Customer concentration
BDE social profiles
Digital presenceBDE financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BDE leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
BDE funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BDE M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about BDE
What does BDE do?
BDE is a German federal trade association (e.V.) for the waste management, water, and circular economy industry. Its core offerings consist of membership services, professional development seminars on waste law and dangerous goods transport, policy advocacy at national and EU levels, industry research and publications, and member networking through the Beekeeper digital communication platform and events such as 'Tag der Mineralik'. The association also coordinates awareness campaigns (e.g., Brennpunkt: Batterie) and policy programs (Sofortprogramm Kreislaufwirtschaft).
Is BDE a public or private company?
BDE is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was BDE founded?
BDE was founded in 1961. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BDE based?
BDE is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does BDE make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Membership Fees are the primary driver. The others are seminars and Training.
Does BDE have an API?
No public API is recorded for BDE.