NEWS
2021-04-19
Support in the updating of the waste prevention programme
INTECUS, together with Stakeholder Reporting and the Wuppertal Institute, supported the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) in updating the waste prevention programme. The final report has now been published. Part 1 of the report is dedicated to the support services for the update of the waste prevention programme, Part 2 describes the public participation process and the conception and practical implementation of a landing page on the BMU homepage as well as a citizens' brochure with tips on waste prevention. Part 3 deals with measures and communication recommendations to prevent littering, while Part 4 discusses measures and communication recommendations to improve the separation of municipal waste. INTECUS was mainly responsible for parts 3 and 4. The research project was characterised by a practical and implementation-oriented approach, which is reflected both in the cooperation between the BMU and the contractors and in the results. There was also close cooperation between the project partners - especially in part 3 and part 4. This made it possible to link scientific findings with implementation-oriented communication recommendations. News (pic + link + pdf)
2021-04-13
Study on quantifying the input of plastics into the environment published
The input and fate of plastics in the environment has been a much-noted and much-discussed topic for several years. On behalf of the Federal Environment Agency, a consortium consisting of Oekopol, CONSULTIC and INTECUS developed a study to quantify the input of plastics into the environment. This involved an estimate of the quantitative fate of plastics in the environment from the areas of carelessly discarded or abandoned plastic waste ("littering") as well as plastic products that are used environmentally and from which inputs in the form of plastic particles into the environment can arise.On this basis, relevant sources of plastic inputs were identified and possible courses of action discussed. The largest inputs result from the transport sector with tyre abrasion as the largest source. In addition, the construction sector and the agricultural and horticultural sector contribute relevantly to the total quantities. On the other hand, a critical examination of the data situation was carried out and particularly central aspects for an improvement of the data situation were identified. The calculation results were compared and classified with current relevant studies.
News (pic + link + pdf)
2021-04-07
Study on Extended Producer Responsibility in Vietnam published
As part of the WWF Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) project, INTECUS in cooperation with cyclos prepared a study on the implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility in Vietnam. WWF has identified Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) as an important policy tool that demonstrably holds producers accountable for the end-of-life impacts of their plastic products and packaging and promotes holistic eco-design in the corporate sector.In this way, and by facilitating multi-stakeholder partnerships and sharing best practices globally, the EPR project aims to promote and improve the uptake of EPR systems, reduce plastic leakage into nature, and contribute to the creation of a circular economy.
The study and an accompanying policy paper have now been published.
News (pic + link + pdf)
2021-03-04
Report on determining the sociological factors of waste prevention published
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Waste prevention is at the top of the five-step waste hierarchy; however, despite numerous efforts to strengthen waste prevention, waste generation remains at a high level. Together with the Institut für Sozialinnovation e.V. and Ökopol GmbH, INTECUS worked on the research project "Identification of sociological determinants of waste prevention and design of target-group-specific communication" from 11/2017 to 02/2020. The project used quantitative and qualitative social research methods to investigate the everyday practices of using and consuming various everyday objects with a view to the potentials of waste avoidance. For this purpose, a Germany-wide online survey with 1,310 participants as well as guided interviews with consumers were conducted. INTECUS investigated the separation behavior of more than 50 households in Berlin. Different challenges and potentials for different social groups were identified with a milieu analysis based on the concept of social milieus by sociodimensions. In addition, the perspective of multipliers and communicators was considered and a handout for a target group specific communication on waste prevention was developed. News (pic + link + pdf)
GIS-based visualization of international best practices for waste management available
The online mapping of worldwide best practice projects of the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) is intended to provide an overview of international waste and wastewater management projects with German participation and to inform about the main points: WHERE and WHEN did WHICH international projects with WHICH objective and WHICH actors take place?The platform is aimed at both project implementers and project enquirers. Through easy access and intuitive user guidance, all actors should be able to better inform and coordinate themselves. At the same time, it provides a permanent online record of German know-how in global environmental technology transfer. INTECUS, supported by GICON - Großmann Ingenieur Consult GmbH, implemented the project in the period 04/2018 to 12/2020.
News (pic + link + pdf)
2021-01-24
Publication of seven new country profiles
In addition to the 12 market analyses that have already been published with a focus on waste and water management for Argentina, Brazil, China, India, Jordan, Cuba, Montenegro, Saudia Arabia, Serbia, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, the countries Albania, Armenia, Egypt, Ghana, Colombia, Sri Lanka and Tunisia have now been added this year.The current country profiles were carried out by the German Water Partnership e.V. and the German RETech Partnership e.V. and their member companies uve GmbH für Managementberatung, eclareon GmbH, Sachsen Wasser GmbH and BlackForest Solutions GmbH. Other member companies of both associations with experience in the respective countries were significantly involved as authors: Andreas von Schoenberg Consulting, cyclos GmbH, GITEC-IGIP GmbH, GODUNI International Advisory Board, Indus Media UG, INTECUS GmbH, Ramboll Deutschland GmbH, Tilia GmbH and Urban Waters. INTECUS was responsible for the country and waste management part of the country profile for Egypt.
The preparation of the seven country profiles was supported by the "Export Initiative Environmental Technologies" of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment. The "Environmental Technologies Export Initiative" funding program is intended to support SMEs in particular in the internationalization of their "green" technologies. Thus, the knowledge and application of environmental and climate protection technologies as well as innovative green infrastructure will be disseminated and strengthened in target countries.
The complete country profiles are now available for download at the link below.
News (pic + link + pdf)
Status report on sewage sludge disposal in Saxony published
INTECUS was commissioned by the Saxon State Office for Environment, Agriculture and Geology to prepare the status report on sewage sludge disposal in the Free State of Saxony. The report was prepared in connection with the update of the waste management plan for the Free State of Saxony.Starting from the legal basis, the report presents the current situation of sewage sludge disposal in Saxony. Aspects of future sewage sludge disposal are discussed. The current status of phosphorus recovery technologies under development is being described and a selection of technologies is clearly presented in data sheets.
The report is intended, among other things, to serve as a basis of information for waste water treatment plant operators and sewage sludge disposal companies.
News (pic + link + pdf)
2021-01-14
Vietnamese Ministry of Environment thanks for support
Vietnam's Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) has thanked the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) in an official letter from the Minister for its support in developing the new environmental law. In addition, WWF was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation for "Excellent performance in the development of the Environmental Protection Law 2020, contributing to the establishment and development of the protection of natural resources and the environment." Among other things, WWF has supported MoNRE in the area of Extended Producer Responsibility, especially in the reduction of plastic waste. Together with cyclos GmbH and the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH), INTECUS formed the international team of experts that advised WWF on this issue.
News (pic + link + pdf)