WtERT and WasteCulture.com

WtERT is a global academic nonprofit association founded at Columbia University and, since 2024, led by Zhejiang University.

For many years, WtERT network representation in Germany was carried out by Mr. Werner Bauer, who built and operated the web-based Decision Support System (DSS, www.wtert.net) that helped bring the knowledge pool of data and information about practices of waste management to life. In October 2025, drawing on WtERT’s international network and support, Mr. Bauer has rebranded this work as Waste Culture (wasteculture.com), continuing his journey to grow it as its own independent initiative. The motivation behind can be presented as the next stage of the DSS, moving beyond the technical reference of waste systems to explore the human and cultural factors that shape how societies generate, manage, and treat waste.

WtERT and WasteCulture share a common goal: advancing sustainable waste management worldwide. WtERT warmly welcomes the launch of WasteCulture and, as it does for any initiative led by members of its association, will continue to support it with its international network, reference, and goodwill.

Mr. Werner Bauer remains a valued member of the WtERT, alongside representatives of WtERT’s international partners around the world.

WtERT® Clarification Statement

For clarity, WtERT® is a trademark owned by Global WtERT Council Inc., a U.S. nonprofit organization recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. The WtERT® trademark is registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

WasteCulture.com is operated by WtERT Germany GmbH, a company incorporated under German law and wholly owned by Ia GmbH. WtERT Germany GmbH is an independent, for-profit company and has no legal ownership, governance, or representative authority within the nonprofit organization Global WtERT Council Inc. (WtERT®). It should not be understood as a legal entity of, or as representing, the U.S. nonprofit organization.

For the avoidance of doubt, neither WtERT Germany GmbH nor any other independent organization or company may represent, speak on behalf of, or otherwise present itself as representing Global WtERT Council Inc., the WtERT® network, its Council, or its university and institutional partners.

Separately, “WtERT Germany” is a designation used within the WtERT® nonprofit network to identify the German partner network of Global WtERT Council Inc. It is hosted at Technical University of Munich (TUM) pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding established between Global WtERT Council Inc. and TUM. This designation should not be confused with WtERT Germany GmbH, which is a separate legal and commercial entity.

These distinctions are intended to ensure clarity regarding the respective legal status, governance, representation, and use of the WtERT® name and network.