The German Environmental Aid (DUH) has called on Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) to end the firecrackers “once and for all” this year. With a few simple changes to the Explosives Ordinance, the minister could quickly put an end to environmentally harmful fireworks, said DUH Federal Managing Director Jürgen Resch to the “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” (RND).
Resch spoke of a “senseless cracking”. He is pleased that a growing majority of Germans are in favor of a ban on firecrackers. In a representative survey conducted by the Insa Consulere Institute on behalf of the Brandenburg Consumer Advice Center, 53 percent of those surveyed voted for a ban, while 39 percent were against it. There was approval for a ban among voters from the Greens, SPD, Left and Union. 68 percent of AfD supporters voted against a ban on firecrackers. The supporters of the FDP were divided.
“There are many arguments for a ban on black powder rockets and firecrackers,” said Resch, citing examples: “Air pollution and thousands of tons of waste, millions of frightened and suffering animals, house fires and many thousands of injured children and adults alike.” Cities and communities should also do without classic fireworks. “Municipalities can also ensure a colorful turn of the year with creative light and laser shows or even a drone show.”
According to information from the Federal Environment Ministry, the decision to ban firecrackers on New Year’s Eve lies with the cities and districts. “The annual fireworks on New Year’s Eve can temporarily increase particulate matter pollution in municipalities. How high this load actually is on site depends on many factors,” a spokesman for the Federal Environment Ministry told the RND. These included, for example, the local weather conditions and the number of fireworks burned off. “It makes sense for the cities and districts themselves to decide whether a ‘Böllerban’ must be imposed.”
