Packaging remains a topic of discussion: Deutsche Umwelthilfe is introducing the \u201eGolden Vulture\u201c negative award, which it says is intended to draw attention to everyday \u201epackaging madness\u201c. Any consumer can submit photos of plastic packaging via social media using the hashtag #Verpackungswahnsinn.<\/p>\n
According to estimates by the Fraunhofer Institute, around 116,000 tonnes of macroplastics from packaging and products end up in the environment in Germany every year. While the EU is banning particularly environmentally harmful single-use plastic products and packaging with a new directive, Environment Minister Svenja Schulze is relying on voluntary commitments with retail and industrial groups. With the new negative award, the DUH wants to draw attention to what it considers to be unnecessary, oversized or non-recyclable packaging in supermarkets and drugstores.<\/p>\n
\u201eNo other country in Europe produces as much packaging waste per capita per year as Germany. Something is going very wrong in this country. Manufacturers and retailers bear responsibility for our environment and must finally implement waste avoidance, reuse and the recyclability of packaging. Through our campaign, we are giving consumers the opportunity to show where the problem really lies. Namely right under our noses. The more consumers take part and report unnecessary packaging, the more we can achieve together,\u201c says DUH's Deputy Federal Managing Director Barbara Met<\/strong>z.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n