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Video games and learning – opposites?
Trash Monsters – sorting with a sense of play
A colourful adventure world, real knowledge about waste sorting and recycling – free, ad-free and now available in many regional editions.
The educational game about waste sorting300.000+
Free · ad-free · locally adaptable
When it comes to waste sorting, many people know which categories are collected in their hometown. But when individual items have to be assigned to the right bin, that knowledge can quickly reach its limits.
The award-winning educational game "Trash Monsters" comes into play where waste sorting is first learned. Wrapped in an interactive adventure, players meet the charismatic trash monsters, solve puzzles and quests, and help process the waste arriving on planet AfA-X.
Since its first release in 2014, the game has continued to grow. More than 20 municipalities and waste management companies now use regional editions adapted to their own sorting rules. Across all editions and platforms, Trash Monsters has been downloaded more than 300,000 times. The game is free and ad-free, accompanied by a whole world of activity booklets, comics, hand puppets and further educational materials.
Read the full game description
Welcome to AfA-X
We are on planet AfA-X, the planet where the trash monsters live and work. In a constant stream, waste travels from the docked planet Karlsrux into their facility to be processed. Players receive an enthusiastic welcome – the monsters can barely keep up with the pressure of all the incoming waste.
Together with Shecycle for recyclables, Bioblurp for organic waste, Ashes for residual waste and KaolinKing for paper, players experience several hours of adventure. They solve puzzles and quests, play minigames, collect useful items and decorative accessories, and learn almost in passing how to sort waste correctly.
Sorting waste on the conveyor belt remains the heart of the game. When an item is assigned correctly, the monster working there is delighted; when it is sorted incorrectly, the monster reacts with sadness or frustration. The integrated waste index makes it possible to look up unfamiliar items immediately and explains not only where they belong, but why.
The characters, their stories and the colourful adventure world ensure that Trash Monsters does not feel like a conventional educational game. The idea of making waste visible not merely as rubbish but as a resource has stayed with the project to this day.
Awarded, reviewed and carried forward
A game that never stood still.
A game idea from Karlsruhe has grown into a learning medium used over many years – with independent reviews, media recommendations and numerous regional editions.
Quality sealRAL Serious Games
Recognised for high-quality educational content and game design.
Independent app reviewOutstanding review
An assessment from the perspective of families and consumers.
MediaKiKA / Team Timster
Featured in children's television as a recommended educational game app.
Downloads
Across all editions and platforms since release.
Release & first awards
Sky special award at Zukunftspreis Kommunikation and the KULT audience award of TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe.
Public showcases
Global Games, oferta, gamescom and other exhibitions brought AfA-X out of the app and into public spaces.
20 regional partnerships
Municipalities and waste management companies adapt the game and its materials to their local rules and educational work.
Game screenshots
A look inside the world of the trash monsters
All images in this section are available in three regional bin-colour systems. Screenshot language follows the selected page language automatically.
Click an image to download the high-resolution version.
Media assets
Images for editorial coverage
The following images are available for preview and download. Please credit "Bunny & Gnome GbR / Trash Monsters" when publishing them.
"We chose the project Trash Monsters because the idea of using games to bring complex subjects closer to whole sections of society is fantastic."
"The game Trash Monsters is particularly well suited for primary general studies from third grade onwards."
Read more voices
"The game app concept convinced the board and is a valuable addition to the existing services provided by municipal waste advisers."
"The innovative learning game helps teachers introduce waste topics to pupils in a playful and accessible way."
"Trash Monsters makes these often invisible processes tangible and puts waste sorting and recycling centre stage."
"It motivates beginning readers by alternating between reading and gameplay."
"The principles of waste sorting are taught through play, accompanied by lovable characters, exciting stories and challenging puzzles."
Full reference
Bunny & Gnome GbR. 2014. Trash Monsters. Educational game for recycling. Mobile / Browser.
Press information updated: September 2026