European Week for Waste Reduction begins
To kick off the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR), Florian Pronold, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Environment Ministry, has called for the more responsible use of natural resources. "The theme of this year's European Week for Waste Reduction is "Stop Food Waste!" And rightly so, as an efficient use of our resources that isn't wasteful is a key component for a society seeking to ensure its future viability. Measures such as the durable and sustainable design of products and their long-term use and re-use are crucial in this context. Everyone can do their bit."
This year is Germany's fifth time taking part in the European Week for Waste Reduction The initiative is ongoing until 30 November in the EU and other participating countries. Over 280 actions have been planned, in which around 145 partners are involved including municipal waste management companies, private enterprises, Federal and Länder authorities, city and district administrations, consumer agencies, social and educational institutes and environmental initiatives.
Pronold also highlighted the importance of technological developments and raising public awareness for the effective reduction of waste. The EWWR strives to raise consumer awareness of this issue and show specifically what each individual can contribute.
The main programme of the EWWR is aimed at the general public. Special activities have been organised for schools and nurseries. Almost half of the actions are related to this year's "Stop Food Waste!" theme, whilst others go beyond this and address the complex theme of waste avoidance in general. The wide range of events being organised includes presentations, exhibitions, readings, plays, information stands, creative projects, workshops, repairs cafes, exchange markets and flee markets.
These events serve to highlight the relevance of waste reduction and present practical solutions for the longer and more comprehensive use of products. The EWWR in Germany is being coordinated by the Association of Local Utilities (VKU). All actions can be found in the actions database www.ewwr.eu/actions