If we continue to live by our current standards, we will require an average of 1.74 Earths each year. Consumption in industrialized countries in particular far exceeds the planet’s natural resources. About 50 years ago, one Earth was still enough. The Earth Overshoot Day marks the annual date when our consumption exceeds the Earth’s limits.

Why does the “Gelbe Sack” tear so easily? The thinness of these yellow bags is intentional, according to the “Grüner Punkt” system. They are made just strong enough to hold packaging waste and nothing else. This is meant to prevent the incorrect disposal of other waste, such as used clothing or electronic devices, in the yellow bag.

320,000 hot drink cups end up in the trash every hour across Germany. Over a year, that’s about 2.8 billion cups. As a result, cities are increasingly focusing on sustainable deposit systems—and with success!