In Germany, less waste is to be produced and what is no longer used is to be increasingly recycled instead of ending up in incineration. In mid-September the Bundestag discussed waste prevention and recycling in order to initiate new rules for environmental protection. Two laws to be amended are the Closed Substance Cycle and Waste Management Act and the Electrical and Electronic Equipment Act.

The Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act is the central law in the waste sector. Among other things, it regulates the handling of around 220 million tonnes of mineral waste that is generated annually in Germany during modernisation, renovation, new construction and demolition work. The law is intended to ensure that the waste is disposed of without polluting the environment and that the material flows are recycled to the highest possible standard. It also creates a legal basis for further laws relating to waste prevention. It still has to be passed by the Bundesrat and can then enter into force very soon. A central innovation is that the federal government, its authorities and companies will be obliged to give preference to environmentally friendly and resource-saving products when awarding contracts. How well things can be repaired or whether they contain pollutants can also play a role, as long as the additional costs are not too high.

We are curious how this will develop. Stay up to date and have a look at pluspunktenergie.tech or continue to follow our blog articles.