The surge in the number of “coffee to go” cups on our streets and the shrink-wrapped fruit and vegetables in our supermarkets makes it clear: in recent years, there has been an increase in our use of packaging – packaging which guzzles energy and resources and harms the environment, especially if it isn’t recycled, or at the very least disposed of appropriately. In this edition of our newsletter you can read about how much packaging waste arose in Germany in 2016 and how things stand regarding its recycling.
Wishing you informative reading
The UBA press office
Increasing quantities of waste packaging
Between the years 2000 and 2016, the consumption of plastic packaging increased by about 74 percent.
Source: Umweltbundesamt
In Germany in the year 2016, this was equivalent to 220.5 kilograms of waste packaging per person: in total, 18.16 million tonnes. This was 0.05 percent more than the year before. Sadly, Germany is one of the worst offenders in Europe: according to the latest figures, in 2015, the average rate of consumption in the EU was just 167.3 kilograms per person.
Trends such as smaller portion sizes due to smaller households, “coffee to go” in throwaway cups and the booming mail order business mean that the use of packaging continues to grow. Between the years 2000 and 2016, the consumption of plastic packaging increased by approximately 74 percent.
In 2016, 70 percent of waste packaging in Germany was recycled while the rest was incinerated for energy recovery. The recycling rates vary strongly according to the individual materials, however: those for steel (92.1 percent), paper/cardboard (88.7 percent), aluminium (87,9 percent) and glass (85.5 percent) are comparatively high. For plastics (49.7 percent) and wood (26 percent), however, the recycling rates are lower. Plastic packaging is particularly difficult to separate and recycle because of the exceptional variety of materials. In 2016, it was nonetheless possible for 0.9 percent more plastic packaging to be recycled than in the year before, with the recycled share surpassing that used for energy recovery for the first time. There is considerable potential in this area though, and Germany must perform better in the future: on 1 January 2019, the new Federal Packaging Act will take effect, and for packaging for which manufacturers are obliged to participate in dual systems and which is typically disposed of by private consumers, the Act specifies an initial recycling rate of 58.5 percent for plastics, which will increase to 63 percent from 2022 onwards.
For additional facts and data, please refer to the current edition of our annual study, “Aufkommen und Verwertung von Verpackungsabfällen in Deutschland im Jahr 2016” (The occurrence and recycling of packaging waste in Germany)
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PFC Planet: chemicals in the environment
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Marine protection concerns us all!
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Copper emissions from antifouling paints should be reduced
Changing over to environmentally-friendly refrigerants
The fluorinated refrigerant R1234yf has been discovered in increasingly high concentrations in the atmosphere. It mainly originates from car air conditioning systems, but increasingly, from refrigeration and air conditioning equipment as well. Trifluoroacetic acid – a metabolite of R1234yf – is highly soluble in water, toxic to algae and tough to break down, and enters our water via precipitation. The UBA advises a changeover to alternatives. read more (in German)
Science and research
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The worldwide trend towards ever more rapidly increasing average temperatures continues: in world terms, 2017 was the third hottest year since the weather records began in the 19th century. Moreover, nine of the ten hottest years recorded have been after the year 2000. In our annual chronicle (in German), you can read about the extremes of weather that were recorded in both 2017 and in previous years. read more (in German)
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Water bodies in Europe haven’t been in a good way for some time
According to the EU water Framework Directive, by 2015, all water bodies must attain a good ecological status, and those to which exceptions apply must to do so by 2027 at the latest. The latest reports from the EU member states show that this objective remains a long way from being attained, and considerable efforts are needed if this is to take place. read more (in German)
Microplastics in the environment: internal UBA research now under way
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Long distance journeys by bus rather than car: helping our air and our climate
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Plastic and metal are ideally collected together
Packaging and other recyclable products made from plastic or metal are ideally collected together in a single refuse bin or refuse sack. According to a study by the German Environment Agency (UBA), this approach benefits the environment the most and costs the least. The shared household collection is of particular benefit in terms of the waste recycling sites to which consumers are obliged to take their waste materials. read more (in German)
Treated waste water in rivers: a challenge for our drinking water?
Treated waste water, i.e. from municipalities, is frequently discharged into our streams and rivers. In a UBA study, the ratio of treated waste water in the surface water bodies throughout Germany was estimated, and the risk this poses to the production of drinking water, assessed. The study also proposes recommended courses of action if the safe values are exceeded. In general terms, however, no risk was found to public health. read more (in German)
Certain chemical substances are harmful to man and the environment. As part of the “AskREACH” EU LIFE project, staff in companies which produce or sell consumer products are able to partake in an online survey on “Substances of Very High Concern” in manufactured products until 30 September 2018. The results will be incorporated in the development of a Europe wide database and app.
Dental bridges, car bodies, construction components for homes: with 3D printing, it is possible to make almost anything. The technology is conquering ever more branches of industry – and even ringing in a new era of manufacturing. The efficiency of raw materials, greenhouse gases, pollutants: a study by the UBA highlights the challenges and opportunities for the environment and health.
Lignite industry: very few redundancies necessary
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Environment at municipal level
How do we want to live? Educational materials for the city of the future
Worldwide, increasing numbers of people now live in urban areas. This development is creating new challenges. Three illustrated short stories (in German) for teaching purposes at the sixth form level demonstrate everyday life in the city of the future and highlight the vision of the UBA for cities that are worth living in and in which environmentally friendly mobility is part of everyday life. The educational material invites the students to discuss their own ideas. read more (in German)
The UBA at the second conference on cities as locations for the sustainable transport transition
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With Karl-Heinz Florenz (member of the European Parliament, European People's Party), Ingrid Chorus, director of the department for drinking water at the UBA, opened a breakfast session on the topic of materials in contact with drinking water. On 7 June 2018, 50 experts from EU institutions, the EU member states and associations discussed the controversy surrounding the proposal by the Commission.
The reuse of treated waste water can help to reduce water shortages. Reused water can contain pathogens and harmful substances, however. On 28 May 2018, the EU Commission proposed a regulation, on minimum requirements concerning the reuse of water. It aims to protect health and the environment. The UBA considers there to be a need for improvement.
Climate-ADAPT, an online knowledge platform provided by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission since 2012, has grown into the most important place for information when it comes to adaptation to climate change in Europe. A report of the EEA informs about the experiences and effectiveness of the platform and points to ways of further improving it.
Law & legislation
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Recycling capability of packaging: consultation launched
Manufacturers of certain forms of packaging are legally obliged in Germany to participate in dual systems to ensure that such packaging is collected, separated and recycled. From 2019, the requisite fees are to be oriented to how easily the individual type of packaging can be recycled. Those affected can submit their opinion on a draft orientation aid regarding the determination of recycling capability by 17 August 2018. read more (in German)
UBA news
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Project funding for associations: apply for 2019 now
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In many countries, the Alpine Convention’s Soil Conservation Protocol is a requirement “neglected” by public administration and by society, as accountability is spread across many fields of legislation. Especially in the Alps, soil conservation is of great significance, as soil is a limited, non-renewable and endangered resource. During the German Presidency of the Alpine Convention (2015-2016)…
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