Ever wonder where lost treasures and trash collide? Welcome to the Müllseum in Cologne. It’s not your typical museum. Prepare to be amazed by what one group’s dedication can unearth.
The Müllseum, operated by K.R.A.K.E., is a unique exhibition space. K.R.A.K.E. stands for Kölner Rhein-Aufräum-Kommandoeinheit. This translates to Cologne Rhine Clean-Up Commando Unit. Since late 2021, the Müllseum has been K.R.A.K.E.’s headquarters near Humboldtpark.
The Müllseum creatively showcases the issue of waste. It displays art made from trash. It also exhibits unusual items found during clean-up efforts. Imagine a museum filled with the bizarre flotsam and jetsam of Cologne.
K.R.A.K.E. is a non-profit association tackling Cologne’s waste problem. They focus on waste prevention and removal from nature. They organize clean-up events and advocate for recycling.
One of the Müllseum’s highlights is artwork by Barbara Mekhneche. She creates images and objects from collected waste. One piece uses over 10,000 plastic cotton swabs. These were found in the Rhine meadows. The artwork resembles the Dom’s Richter window.
The Müllseum also features especially curious items. There is a bird’s nest. It has plastic parts woven into it. You can also see a mammoth tooth. A 30-year-old Raider candy bar wrapper is there too.
The Müllseum vividly explains the dangers of waste. It teaches about the impact on plants and animals. It highlights how long different materials take to decompose. Cigarette butts aren’t just cotton. Plastic bottles outlive us for centuries.
Besides the Müllseum, K.R.A.K.E.’s main project is the Rhine-Krake. This is a trash trap on the Rhine River. Installed in September 2022, it’s Germany’s first and only one. It stops trash from flowing into the North Sea. In its first 14 months, it collected about 20,000 items. These weighed 1.6 tons.
You can purchase Barbara’s artworks. All proceeds go to the Rhine-Krake project. Unusual finds stay permanently at the Müllseum. The Müllseum is open Thursdays from 3 PM to 7 PM. Group tours are available upon request. These are for school classes and kindergartens. Admission is free. Donations are welcome.
Visiting the Müllseum, you’ll see art. You’ll also see a poignant reminder. It highlights the importance of environmental stewardship. It shows what we discard and its lasting impact. It’s a testament to the power of community action. It shows the beauty of repurposing. A visit here will change how you view waste. It might even inspire you to get involved.