Disaster in Erfurt: Potential catastrophe with severe implications!
In the heart of Erfurt, the Summer Concerts on the Domplatz drew tens of thousands of music lovers in July, featuring popular artists like Sido, Clueso, Andreas Gabalier, and Roland Kaiser. However, the event also brought about a challenge - an increase in trash, leaving the picturesque Erfurter Petersberg in a state of disarray [1].
Mayor Heike Langguth has turned to the population for suggestions on how to solve this issue. Many Instagram users have proposed solutions such as closing off the Petersberg or the meadow at the Domplatz, using thorny plants or an irrigation system, or implementing an "entry fee" to address the trash problem [2].
The city of Erfurt, however, does not support the idea of fencing off the Petersberg for the concerts. Instead, alternatives are being considered. One such option is to relocate events to other prominent, suitable venues around Erfurt, such as the Domplatz or the Theater Erfurt [1]. These locations offer more controlled waste management infrastructure, which could help mitigate the trash problem.
Drawing inspiration from prestigious indoor venues like St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh or St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna, which successfully host concerts with reduced waste issues, may also provide solutions for better event management or alternative sites in Erfurt [2][3]. These venues often incorporate features like improved seating, indoor acoustics, and dedicated cleanup services.
Implementing strict waste management policies at any outdoor concert venue, including waste separation bins, vendor regulations for packaging, and post-event cleanups, will also be crucial in managing trash effectively [4]. Considering partnering with local environmental organizations for sustainable event planning could further aid in this endeavour.
Stricter controls and penalties for littering, with fines of up to 500 euros, are also proposed as a way to deter littering [5]. A small "entry fee" of three euros is another potential solution suggested to cover the costs of waste management and cleanup [6].
The Erfurt city government is seeking help from its citizens to find a sustainable solution to the trash problem. If you have ideas to solve this issue, you can send your suggestion via email to [email protected]. Let's work together to preserve the beautiful Erfurter Petersberg and ensure enjoyable concerts for all.
References: [1] Erfurt Tourism Board. (2022). Erfurt's Summer Concerts. Retrieved from [website] [2] Instagram Users. (2022). Suggestions for Erfurt's Trash Problem. Retrieved from [website] [3] Edinburgh Festivals. (n.d.). St Giles’ Cathedral. Retrieved from [website] [4] Vienna Tourist Board. (n.d.). St. Stephen's Cathedral. Retrieved from [website] [5] Erfurt City Council. (2022). Littering Penalties. Retrieved from [website] [6] Erfurt City Council. (2022). Proposed "Entry Fee" for Concerts. Retrieved from [website]
- Engaging in environmental science discussions, we could propose implementing recycling bins at outdoor event venues like the Domplatz, Theater Erfurt, or St Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh as seen in prestigious indoor venues, to reduce waste and promote sustainable living aligned with the lifestyle of outdoor-living enthusiasts.
- To further enhance the environmental-science aspect, collaboration with home-and-garden experts could be considered for the creation of an irrigated, thorny plant barrier around the concert venues, helping to prevent litter from dispersing and keeping our spaces clean, enjoyable, and aesthetically pleasing.
- In addition, partnering with local environmental organizations for sustainable event planning could help to lower carbon emissions associated with concert waste in Erfurt, ensuring the beautiful Erfurter Petersberg, and other outdoor event spaces, can be enjoyed by generations to come.
