The EU Commission published its statistics on the bathing water quality for 2009 season on 10 June 2010. 99 percent of Germany’s bathing waters meet the quality standards set by the EC Bathing Water Directive. 81 percent of bathing waters even meet the more stringent requirements to be classified as ‘good quality’. read more
Import of waste requiring authorisation continues at high rate
The import of wastes requiring authorisation remained high in 2009, in a pattern similar to previous years. Total volume was 7.6 milllion tonnes (mn t) and increased mainly due to a large construction site on the German-Austrian border (Figure 1). Exports, in contrast, declined by about 20 percent and amounted to only 1.2 mn t. The share of hazardous waste also decreased, as exports amounted to a... read more
Tin can makes a comeback: very much an offside trap for consumers
Just in time for the World Cup kickoff, it’s there on the supermarket shelves: the tin can. It’s a pity because ecologically speaking, the tin can continues to be a poor choice compared to reusable beverage packaging. Consumers should therefore avoid these tin cans: “Whether it’s soft drinks, cola or beer, reusable glass and PET bottles are the best choice - all the more so if provided by a region... read more
Fluorinated fire-fighting foams protect - not the environment though
Fire departments save lives, recover, extinguish, protect- sometimes the environment, too. Fires can be fought especially well with chemicals, propellants or plastics that contain fluorinated extinguishing foams, which prevent the formation of toxic combustion products. However, the chemicals contained in the foams are not, environmentally speaking, worry-free. “Fluorinated chemicals are very pers... read more
Bisphenol A - a chemical with adverse effects produced in large quantities
The substance Bisphenol A is frequently mentioned in media reports on hazardous chemicals. Over and over reports about Bisphenol A in the environment and in our bodies makes people feel insecure. What kind of substance is it, where can Bisphenol A be found and what is the risk for human health and environment? The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) comments on the health risks of Bisphenol A and inf... read more
Federal Environment Agency: Unecological subsidies cost 48 billion euros
Subsidies harmful to the environment are costing 48 billion euros in tax revenues every year, or about one fifth of the federal budget. That trend is unfortunately on the rise. About one half of all subsidies foster the use of fossil fuels, rendering some efforts in environmental protection void. “In times of record debt, ecologically harmful subsidies must be put subjected to serious review. A ph... read more
Carsharing: Relieves environment, saves costs
A collection of cases in practice, sponsored by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) and published by the federal association CarSharing (bcs), illustrates how commercial businesses in particular can do their bit for the environment by taking advantage of carsharing. read more
Biological diversity requires environmental protection
The Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is calling for greater environmental protection efforts to be made to conserve biodiversity, both internationally and at home. On this year’s International Day for Biodiversity, proclaimed by the United Nations every year on 22 May, UBA President Jochen Flasbarth said, “The greatest dangers posed to the protection of biological diversity are global warming and... read more
