The exterior of this computer mouse has a very distinctive look. The scroll wheel is made out of regional wood and the housing of this environmentally friendly desktop assistant is made of recycled plastic. However, Nager IT e.V. does not only focus on the external appearance of its product but also demonstrates its commitment to fairness by ensuring that it is produced in the local region in a socially responsible and environmentally friendly way by intellectually disabled workers in an integration workshop.

This series of event starts in the first weekend in June. As in previous years, the “17th of June Street” in Berlin only a few minutes’ walk away from the famous Brandenburg Gate will become a “mile of opportunities” on 1 June. Environmental associations, initiatives and educational institutions are inviting anyone who is interested in protecting the environment to visit the 30th Environmental Festival Berlin throughout the day.

Heimtextil was held in Frankfurt am Main in the middle of January and was the first opportunity this year for Melanie Mausolf and Mara Scheuermann from RAL to talk to people about the framework conditions and benefits of certification systems.

The Environmental Label Jury agreed a new Blue Angel ecolabel for grouting material for paving stones and terrace tiles at this meeting.

The criteria for the following Blue Angel ecolabels have been revised:

Icy roads and pavements pose a significant risk in winter. However, many conventional types of grit, especially de-icing salt, have a negative impact on plants growing by the side of the road, animals, soil and bodies of water – and, in urban areas, on discharge into the sewer system. Vehicles, buildings and road surfaces also suffer from the use of salt. Many towns and communities in Germany have thus been putting a legal stop to conventional de-icing salt for some time now, banning or at least significantly restricting its use.