In future, all federal authorities will no longer be allowed to purchase almost all drinks in disposable plastic bottles or cans. Environmental organisation Deutsche Umwelthilfe, which has long campaigned for this ban, is now also calling for drinks cartons to be banned from public authorities. The German Association of Carton Packaging for Liquid Foods (FKN) is now opposing this.
Deutsche Umwelthilfe (DUH) feels vindicated. With a new administrative regulation, the Federal Cabinet has implemented a frequently voiced demand by DUH. In future, all federal authorities will no longer be allowed to procure almost all drinks in disposable plastic bottles or cans. Disposable crockery and cutlery are also on the ban list. However, the regulation does not go far enough for the environmental organisation.
Public authorities should also ban drinks cartons in future, demands Barbara Metz, Deputy Federal Managing Director of DUH. This composite packaging is difficult to recycle, has a high plastic content and often ends up in the environment. The reaction of the Fachverband Kartonverpackungen für flüssige Nahrungsmittel e.V. (FKN) was not long in coming. Today, it accuses Deutsche Umwelthilfe of ignoring scientific facts.
for liquid foods e.V.
Beverage cartons not harmful to the environment
According to FKN Managing Director Michael Kleene, the German Environmental Aid's demand to extend the ban on single-use plastic bottles and drinks cans to include drinks cartons is further proof that the DUH is stubbornly refusing to take note of scientific facts.
And further: „The beverage carton is neither harmful to the environment nor to the climate. This has been proven by all life cycle assessments of the last 20 years. A recent study by the Ifeu Institute, which was scientifically monitored and reviewed by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), also confirms this.“ The FKN attaches importance to the fact that the beverage carton has been recognised by the Federal Ministry for the Environment as ‚ecologically beneficial‘ beverage packaging since 2000.
The association has prepared a life cycle assessment published here.
Source: FKN
