Environmental protection and sustainability thrive on participation!

Since 2010, the city of Zittau and the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences have jointly organized the Day of the Environment on annually changing topics. This year's first-time participation of the two Zittau climate schools Christan-Weise-Gymnasium and Weinau Oberschule is particularly pleasing. Both schools are actively involved in the design and realization of the exhibition for Environment Day and will be visiting the event sections with groups of pupils. We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our partners Stadtwerke and SOWAG Zittau for their active support.

The theme to be presented this year is under the motto"Plastic everywhere". "As Rector of Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, this year's theme is very close to my heart," says Prof. Friedrich Albrecht. "I am particularly concerned about the heavy pollution of the oceans with plastic and the associated consequences for animals and humans. Everyone can do their bit in many different ways to prevent this pollution from increasing and to do everything possible to avoid the causes."

"With scientific institutions such as the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences, the Fraunhofer Technikum and, last but not least, numerous highly specialized companies, Zittau is a real plastics center; life without synthetic materials is hardly imaginable for all of us today," comments Thomas Zenker, Mayor of the City of Zittau. "At the same time, the mass use of plastics and, in particular, the tons of such waste polluting our environment are a threat to the future of life on earth. We all have a duty to address this problem area, which is why I am delighted to see this year's Environment Day under this motto."

Plastic has become an integral part of our everyday lives and plays an important role in many areas of various industries and medicine. On Environment Day 2017, we want to inform you about the advantages and disadvantages and discuss them with you.

A recently initiated research project by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) also shows that the topic of plastic is highly topical. The project is funded with 35 million euros, making it the world's largest research program on plastics to date.

We look forward to welcoming you to lectures, a tour of the Zittau sewage treatment plant, a workshop on decentralized plastic recycling, an exhibition and a documentary film followed by a discussion.

All parts of the event are open to the public and free of charge. Interested parties are cordially invited to attend.

For more information and the full program for the Zittau and Görlitz locations, please visit thewebsite. Program changes are possible.