Plastic census: Federal government has products with plastic counted & labeled

Berlin. The German government has commissioned a five-year, legally mandated survey of statistical consumption data in order to obtain the actual amount of plastic waste that Germans produce each year through their purchases. The change in the law will come into effect on 01.05.2019 and will mean that a consecutive number will be noted on every item with plastic packaging in future.

"We have noticed in passing that a few people are complaining that cucumbers and bananas are packaged in plastic. But we don't believe that we produce a lot of waste here. It's so clean in Germany. But because the welfare of the public is important to us, we are now having all food containing plastic counted over a 5-year period and labeled accordingly. Then let's see whether we really produce so much waste with our purchases," said Angelo Merte, Member of Parliament, at the federal press conference on Friday.

How the plastic count works

To avoid a possible problem with the Plastic waste in the environment the German government has taken action. The plastic census includes the following changes and processes:

• From 01.05.2019 to 31.04.2024, all products with plastic packaging will be counted.
• This includes, for example, plastic carrier bags, shrink-wrap for food, Coffee-2Go cups and electronics packaging.
• Each item is given a consecutive number for counting, which is noted on the product with a black, waterproof sharpie.
• After five years, the exact figure is viewed and evaluated in plenary sessions.

"We will know more after five years. Until then, we ask for your patience. If our survey actually shows that we produce a lot of plastic waste in Germany, we'll take it from there," Merte added in a personal interview with CareElite. He then took another firm pull of the straw from the Starbucks cup and said goodbye to our reporters with a friendly nod.

PS.: This post was an April Fool's joke.

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