Energy Management Forum

Newsletter 2020 Spring Edition

Blue Angel newsletter@blauer-engel.de

New product groups in the IT sector

The Blue Angel is now also available for Resource and Energy-Efficient Software Products, Server and Data Storage Products and Climate-Friendly Colocation Data Centers.

Resource and Energy-Efficient Software Products (DE-UZ 215)

Software influences the energy consumption of hardware and consequently determines how quickly computers, notebooks, tablets and smartphones need to be replaced with new ones. Products that use energy and hardware resources in a particularly efficient manner and enable a long service life can now be awarded the Blue Angel.

Server and Data Storage Products (DE-UZ 213)

The demand for the central processing and storage of data is increasing and thus so is the energy consumption. The Blue Angel for Servers and Data Storage Products sets high minimum requirements for the energy and material efficiency of servers, data storage products and power supply units, as well as for the elimination of pollutants in plastic materials.

Climate-Friendly Colocation Data Center (DE-UZ 214)

The importance of colocation data centers has increased significantly in recent years. Energy consumption and the demand for raw materials have thus also increased. This new product group thus only focuses on the building technology and areas that colocation suppliers can influence. This is an addition to the already existing product group “Energy Efficient Data Center Operation” (DE-UZ 161).

Good for me. Good for the environment.
“Blue Angel Event Day” on 25 October 2017

On 25 October 2017, the Federal Environment Ministry, Federal Environment Agency, the jury of the environmental label, and RAL gGmbH are calling the second “Blue Angel Event Day“. We want to provide a platform to committed players from the realms of politics, the economy, and civil society for raising public awareness of sustainable consumption and emphasizing the role of the Blue Angel as a practical guide for shopping.

// To Event Day (in German)
// Download event materials and fun facts (in German)

Alina Süggeler of the band "Frida Gold" believes environmental protection starts when you shop – And you?

Environmental protection is everything – but it’s not always easy. The new environment ambassador for the Blue Angel, Alina Süggeler, better known as the singer of the band Frida Gold, knows this only too well. Which is why she appeals to consumers to take “small steps in the right direction”.
“Most of all, I want to show that environmental consciousness does not necessarily mean having to turn your whole life upside down”, Alina Süggeler explains her motivation to become an environment ambassador for the Blue Angel.
As the 13th environment ambassador, the singer of the band Frida Gold is following in the footsteps of Florian Silbereisen, Dirk Steffens, Hannelore Elsner, Oliver Mommsen, Ralph Caspers, Katarina Witt, Shary Reeves, Willi Weitzel, Hansi Flick, Annette Humpe, Thomas Arnold, and Jacqueline Roussety. All of them express why the Blue Angel is important to them with their motto “Good for Me. Good for the Environment.”

// Go to interview (in German)

An environmentally-friendly fall vacation

Fall vacation is just around the corner, and thinking about the next trip makes the wait for the next vacation seem just a little shorter. Lots of people tend to forget about the environmental impact of travel. Three quarters of all CO2 emissions in tourism are produced on the road, particularly travelling to and from the vacation destination. A single flight from Berlin to Gran Canaria produces as much CO2 as one person in India produces in a year.

// To Sanitary Additives Compatible with Clarification Plants (RAL-UZ 84a) with the Blue Angel

Environmental label Blue Angel now for toys

Whether stuffed animal, wooden train set, or rubber ball – toy manufacturers can now apply for the “Blauer Engel für Spielzeug” (Blue Angel for Toys) label for their products. To carry the label, products have to be exemplary in terms of pollutant content, but that’s not all. The label also certifies socially fair working conditions in raw material extraction and in the final production sites.
The label can be awarded to toys made of textiles, wood, plastics, leather, paper, rubber, and metal.

// Learn more

#AndYou? Become an environment ambassador!

With their motto “Good for Me. Good for the Environment”, our environment ambassadors express why the Blue Angel is important to them. Now they are calling on you to support them. You too can become an environment ambassador and show where and how you contribute toward the environment in day-to-day life. Show us your environmental commitment and join in with our #AndYou? campaign! Upload a photo of yourself. And add a statement. Just a few clicks until your face appears on the website and you are the new, strong voice of the Blue Angel.

// Join here & upload photo! (in German)

"School-Start with the Blue Angel Campaign" 2017 – For Greater Protection of Resources in the Classroom

In this summer too, the campaign "School-Start with the Blue Angel" motivates pupils and teachers to opt for spiral-bound notepads, exercise books, etc. made of 100% recycling paper, instead of fresh-fibre paper. This saves around 60% of the energy and up to 70% of the water otherwise used in the production. The decision in favour of 100% recycling paper is an easy one, since it is nowadays difficult to tell the one sort from the other, though the recycling paper protects the environment threefold: it saves wood, it saves water, and in addition to this it is good for the climate.

In this connection, the school-start-campaign provides practical ideas. One of the take-part activities is the Blue Angel Market Check, which encourages school classes and environmental groups to check the offers of recycling paper in their city's shops. Stationer's shops that have no recycling paper in the range offered are shown the "blue card" by the school classes. The Blue Angel Market Check is intended to encourage stationers to sell paper products certified as environment-friendly.

With her purchases Shary Reeves protects the climate! And you?

Climate protection begins at home. This is something the new Blue Angel environment ambassador Shary Reeves is convinced of. In the interview, she explained what she pays attention to in everyday situations and why a sustainable handling of resources is so important. "The great thing is that, when it comes to climate protection, each and every one of us can play an active role. And without any great effort – simply in day-to-day things. When you are shopping, for example, look for the Blue Angel. Then you can be sure to have made a good decision, not only for yourself, but especially for the environment," says Shary Reeves, hitting the nail on the head.

The TV moderator, actress and author is thereby on the same trail as the other environmental ambassadors: Ralph Caspers, Florian Silbereisen, Dirk Steffens, Willi Weitzel, Hansi Flick, Katarina Witt, Hannelore Elsner, Oliver Mommsen, Annette Humpe, Thomas Arnold and Jacqueline Roussety. They all stand behind the motto, "Good for Me. Good for the Environment", which expresses why the Blue Angel is so important to them.

// To the Interview (in German)

TIP OF THE MONTH – Spring Cleaning with the Blue Angel

When the first warm rays of sunshine fall through the dusty windows, it's time for the annual spring cleaning! To help speed things up, many enlist the support of "powerful" cleaning agents ... which are not, however, always environment-friendly. Environment and health are better protected when attention is paid, while shopping, to ensure that the Blue Angel or the EU Ecolabel can be found on the packaging. These products are subject to strict requirements relating to the raw materials used, regarding their tolerability for the environment and for health; requirements extending beyond those stipulated by the applicable statutory specifications.

// To Hand Washing-Up Liquids, Universal, Sanitary and Glass Cleaning Agents (RAL-UZ 194) with the Blue Angel

#AndYou? Become an Environment Ambassador!

Under the motto "Good for Me. Good for the Environment", our environment ambassadors thereby express why the Blue Angel is so important to them. Now they are calling on you to support them. Become an environment ambassador too, and show where and how you contribute towards the environment in day-to-day life. Show us your environmental commitment and join in with our #AndYou? campaign! Upload a photo of yourself. And add a statement. Just a few clicks until your face appears on the website and you are the new, strong voice of the Blue Angel.

// To the Campaign www.blauer-engel.de/unddu (in German)

Environmental Tips for Everyday Life

How can I recognize environment-friendly products? How can I sensibly save energy and costs? Which seals can I trust? How can I produce my own compost on a balcony, or even in the kitchen? Where can I find certified environment-friendly holiday offers that prioritize sustainable tourism? How can I reduce the health risk from charcoal when barbecuing? The German Federal Environment Agency has answers: tips for "green" products, helpful links and interesting background information.

// Learn More (in German)

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