Latest news with #AWM
Local Germany
15-05-2025
- General
- Local Germany
Why Munich residents are getting yellow recycling bins for the first time
The city of Munich plans to revamp its waste collection system with the introduction of yellow bins from the beginning of 2027. This follows a pilot test in which the city's waste management company (AWM) had placed yellow bins – for collecting a mix of food packaging, metals and plastics – in certain neighbourhoods. Following positive feedback from both residents and AWM, the yellow bin system is to be implemented throughout the Bavarian capital. Perhaps more exciting than the introduction of a new bin in itself, the yellow bins are to be placed in residential buildings alongside other waste bins – so Munich residents can skip those extra trips to the city's infamous recycling islands in future. What are the yellow bins? Yellow bins, as seen in Berlin and other German cities, are for food packaging, metals and plastics. The containers themselves are often called Gelbe Tonne (yellow bin) and the stuff that goes in them is called Werbstoffe (recyclable materials). Or, more specifically, it's Verkaufsverpackungen aus Metall, Kunstoff und Verbundstoffen (sales packaging made of metal, plastic and composite materials). Much of this can be recycled, which is why it's helpful to be pre-emptively separated from the general waste. Things that belong in the yellow bin include: Beverage and milk cartons Plastic packaging (bottles, foils, bags) Plastic objects (bowls, buckets, toys) Tin cans and tubes Aluminium foil and trays Metal objects (cooking pots, pans, tools) Advertisement The end of the infamous recycling islands Waste collection in Germany is organised by local governments, so bin colours as well as the general protocol for separating and organising waste can look pretty different from region to region. Until now Munich residents have had three bins at home: Papier-Tonne (blue bin - for paper and cardboard), Bio-Tonne (brown bin - for compost) and Rest-Müll-Tonne (grey bin - for mixed waste). READ ALSO: Why you'll have to take more care sorting your biowaste in Germany from May Employees of Munich's waste management company (AWM) empty garbage cans in the early morning. In future, plastic and metal recyclables will also be collected by trucks. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Sven Hoppe This leaves glass (in three separate colours) as well as a fair amount of other plastic, metal and composite material that needed to be separated and collected elsewhere. For this purpose, Munich has set up recycling islands ( Wertstoffinseln ) where people can drop their glass and other recycling materials during daytime hours (excluding Sundays). But the recycling islands were problematic in that they smelled bad, often filled beyond capacity and created a bothersome chore for people living further from them. READ ALSO: The changes to Germany's waste and recycling rules in 2025 What do people in Munich think? Bettina Kudla, a tax consultant from Allach who took part in the yellow bin pilot test told the Münchner Merkur that using the yellow bins was a more 'consumer friendly' way to recycle. Kudla noted the distance to recycling islands was too far for some, and added that some packaging didn't fit in the opening to the old containers and often ended up 'in the residual waste, or even worse, next to the containers." Advertisement The pilot test also found that more recyclable material was collected everywhere that yellow bins were put in place. Munich's environmental department therefore suggests that the yellow bins will significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. An SZ report quotes positive reactions from members of virtually all major parties in Munich, including members of the Greens, SDP, CSU, Free Voters, FDP and ÖDP - which is the Ecological Democratic Party. "The yellow bin improves the collection quality and quantity of recyclables compared to the delivery system and is very well received by the citizens," ÖDP city councillor Tobias Ruff told the South German newspaper. He says the additional bin should have no impact on waste collection fees. Munich had just increased those fees at the beginning of this year: the weekly emptying of a 120-litre container, for example, costs €440 annually. Munich's city council plans to officially decide on the introduction of yellow bins on June 5th. Vocabulary Waste bin/garbage can - die Mülltonne Yellow bin - die Gelbe Tonne Recyclables - die Werstoffe Packaging - die Verkaufsverpackung Pilot test - der Pilotversuch Cleanliness - die Sauberkeit We're aiming to help our readers improve their German by translating vocabulary from some of our news stories. Did you find this article useful? Let us know .
The Guardian
23-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Australia needs more than hollow words about a fair go – we need brave policy-makers
On Anzac Day I like to post on social media a list of birthdates in the national service lotteries from 1965 t0 1972. I do it because the March 1966 ballot, which was for men born between January and June 1946, includes my dad's birthday. He was picked and he fought in Vietnam, arriving just before the Tet Offensive in 1968. Not only is my dad's birth date in that March 1966 ballot; so is mine. And that chills me. It's part of why I revere the Australian War Memorial as a sacred place – it's hard not to when you've stood beside your dad as he pointed to the names of those he knew on the Roll of Honour. It is why I have no qualms in saying I hate the AWM's lack of commemoration of the frontier wars, and deeply despise the $500m spent turning it into a 'Disneyland of war'. It's also why I have deep contempt for a party using the days before Anzac Day to announce a jingoistic $21bn in defence spending and which talks about putting us on a 'war footing'. But it is mostly about very expensive, redundant toys. I also ask the question that is often linked to Anzac Day: what are we defending? What are these values we hear soldiers sacrificed their lives for? And are our politicians brave enough to propose policies that reinforce and deliver those values? Sign up for the Afternoon Update: Election 2025 email newsletter Is it a society where the unemployed live in poverty while the Reserve Bank believes there needs to be about 4.5% of the labour force without a job to keep inflation stable, and yet jobseeker is about 38% below the poverty line? If the graph does not display, click here Is that Australia's'fair go'? What about our native flora and fauna? Is there anything more deserving of our protection? This month we were told that the Great Barrier Reef is near a tipping point for survival. Surely a political party proud of Australia would be making the loudest noise possible to get action on climate change. Instead, when asked last week about climate change, Coalition leader Peter Dutton meekly said, 'the question is what we can do about it as a population of 27 million people?' What about decisions that affect our own shores? Is there any bravery there? No. Instead, the government and the opposition rushed through legislation to ensure salmon farms in Macquarie Harbour can continue even though the industry is almost certainly sentencing the Maugean skate to extinction. Neither party showed any bravery failing to stand up to foreign companies that employ few workers, and which pay negligible amounts of tax. If the graph does not display, click here Dutton at least has been brave enough to be the first leader of the Liberal party to admit we don't have a shortage of gas – something the ALP doesn't admit. If the graph does not display, click here But there is no bravery from either party about higher taxes on these mostly foreign-owned gas companies. Over the decade from 2019, beer drinkers will sacrifice more than gas companies – paying $12bn more in excise than gas companies will pay petroleum resources rent tax. If the graph does not display, click here Nor do the two main parties show any bravery by arguing we do not need any more new gas fields. Instead, this week the government approved a massive new gas project that will be purely for export and will not be subject to any royalties. Sign up to Afternoon Update: Election 2025 Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key election campaign stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Australia is now a country that defends giving away – for free – our natural resources, and their extraction will contribute to the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef. On housing, both the ALP and the Coalition capitulated to the wealthy – making it clear they would not touch the 50% capital gains tax deduction or negative gearing. The Parliamentary Budget Office last week estimated the cost to the government in revenue foregone from both policies in 2025-26 would be $13.4bn. If this was listed as a program it would be the 14th most expensive – just below the cost of jobseeker. If the graph does not display, click here But in Tuesday night's debate, Dutton suggested we shouldn't touch it because it 'would be a disaster for people who are saving for a rental property'. It would seem the Australian dream we now defend is the dream of negatively gearing our property for the second, or third, or 26th time. Is the Australia we love the one where we have one of the highest levels of old-age poverty among rich nations, and the second lowest age pension? If the graph does not display, click here Clearly, sacrifice does not include the taxpayer funded retirees masquerading as 'self-funded' – who reap about $22bn in superannuation tax breaks. If the graph does not display, click here I agree that Australia is great. But it could be much greater. Google 'Australian ballot' and tell me you don't feel some pride that we led the way in ensuring everyone could lodge their vote in private. What about women's suffrage? Does that not suggest a nation that can change the world? It is not only conservatives who love our country and believe it is worth defending. But what is it we love, what is it we want to defend? It's all well and good to talk about a fair go, or our great natural resources and lifestyle. But talk is cheap and hollow words are weak. Bravery in policymaking can ensure we are a free and equitable nation with a unique environment of which we can be rightly proud. Greg Jericho is a Guardian columnist and policy director at the Centre for Future Work
Miami Herald
04-03-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
PerfectSwell(R) Testing Begins at the Exclusive São Paulo Surf Club
New McFly Wave and Latest Innovations on Display SOLANA BEACH, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 4, 2025 / American Wave Machines, the global leader in world-class surf pool destinations, has begun commissioning PerfectSwell® in the heart of Brazil's vibrant financial center São Paulo. AWM has partnered with JHSF, Brazil's leading high-end real estate development company, on their second PerfectSwell® location, the São Paulo Surf Club. With the iconic Ponte Estaiada bridge as a backdrop, top Brazilian Pros Italo Ferreira and Miguel Pupo, along with AWM's Rob Kelly, put the latest PerfectSwell® innovations through the paces. Commissioning will be completed in March. "Our team has done an incredible job. Improvements in PerfectSwell® efficiency, performance, and maintainability are ongoing along with continuing wave design innovations. A lot of R & D went into maintaining ride length and guest beach space in a totally unique footprint," said Bruce McFarland, CEO and Founder of AWM. "The effort has paid off and PerfectSwell® is working great. It's an unsurpassed surf experience." WSL Surfer Miguel Pupo said "It's a mind-blowing experience to surf in the heart of the city in another incredible JHSF venue design. There's so much power in these waves. We surfed the McFly, an incredible air section, and the other new waves, they're all addicting. I can't get myself to get out of the water." "This is the fifth PerfectSwell® commissioning I've been a part of and it's easily the most iconic destination created yet. There are several improvements that have exceeded expectations including our newest wave energy dampening system," said Miquel Lazaro Cordero, lead engineer at AWM. "These improvements have made it possible for us to bring our highest performance surf in this dense urban environment." About American Wave Machines American Wave Machines, Inc. is the inventor and developer of PerfectSwell® Surf Technology. AWM's technology powers world class surf facilities and destinations backed by proven financials, extensive data capture, and stoked surfers. PerfectSwell® is the only sequence based, pneumatic surf technology on the market. Protected by over 50 patents worldwide, PerfectSwell® Split Peaks, Peeling Waves, Air Sections, and Wedge Barrels are all covered by AWM's robust patent portfolio. About JHSF JHSF is a Brazil-based holding company and leader in the high-income real estate industry in Brazil, engaged in real estate development, shopping mall and fashion retail and hospitality and gastronomy. Founded in 1972, the company's main area of operation and investment is in the high-income segment, with a focus on recurring income activities. The company, which has been publicly traded since 2007 and has its shares listed on B3's Novo Mercado, operates in both the Brazilian market and other countries, such as the United States and Uruguay. It was the first company in the Brazilian real estate sector to prioritize recurring income assets, including the operation of shopping centers, an airport, and hotels, in addition to real estate projects. For more information visit Contact: Jenna Timinskyinfo@ SOURCE: American Wave Machines, Inc.
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
PerfectSwell(R) Testing Begins at the Exclusive São Paulo Surf Club
New McFly Wave and Latest Innovations on Display SOLANA BEACH, CA / ACCESS Newswire American Wave Machines, the global leader in world-class surf pool destinations, has begun commissioning PerfectSwell® in the heart of Brazil's vibrant financial center São Paulo. AWM has partnered with JHSF, Brazil's leading high-end real estate development company, on their second PerfectSwell® location, the São Paulo Surf Club. With the iconic Ponte Estaiada bridge as a backdrop, top Brazilian Pros Italo Ferreira and Miguel Pupo, along with AWM's Rob Kelly, put the latest PerfectSwell® innovations through the paces. Commissioning will be completed in March. 'Our team has done an incredible job. Improvements in PerfectSwell® efficiency, performance, and maintainability are ongoing along with continuing wave design innovations. A lot of R & D went into maintaining ride length and guest beach space in a totally unique footprint,' said Bruce McFarland, CEO and Founder of AWM. 'The effort has paid off and PerfectSwell® is working great. It's an unsurpassed surf experience.' WSL Surfer Miguel Pupo said 'It's a mind-blowing experience to surf in the heart of the city in another incredible JHSF venue design. There's so much power in these waves. We surfed the McFly, an incredible air section, and the other new waves, they're all addicting. I can't get myself to get out of the water.' 'This is the fifth PerfectSwell® commissioning I've been a part of and it's easily the most iconic destination created yet. There are several improvements that have exceeded expectations including our newest wave energy dampening system,' said Miquel Lazaro Cordero, lead engineer at AWM. 'These improvements have made it possible for us to bring our highest performance surf in this dense urban environment.' About American Wave Machines American Wave Machines, Inc. is the inventor and developer of PerfectSwell® Surf Technology. AWM's technology powers world class surf facilities and destinations backed by proven financials, extensive data capture, and stoked surfers. PerfectSwell® is the only sequence based, pneumatic surf technology on the market. Protected by over 50 patents worldwide, PerfectSwell® Split Peaks, Peeling Waves, Air Sections, and Wedge Barrels are all covered by AWM's robust patent portfolio. About JHSF JHSF is a Brazil-based holding company and leader in the high-income real estate industry in Brazil, engaged in real estate development, shopping mall and fashion retail and hospitality and gastronomy. Founded in 1972, the company's main area of operation and investment is in the high-income segment, with a focus on recurring income activities. The company, which has been publicly traded since 2007 and has its shares listed on B3's Novo Mercado, operates in both the Brazilian market and other countries, such as the United States and Uruguay. It was the first company in the Brazilian real estate sector to prioritize recurring income assets, including the operation of shopping centers, an airport, and hotels, in addition to real estate projects. For more information visit
South China Morning Post
16-02-2025
- Automotive
- South China Morning Post
Buyers quick off mark as Hong Kong car plates ‘S' and ‘88' go for millions
Two car number plates, one bearing the single letter 'S' and the other the digits '88', have each fetched more than HK$11 million (US$1.4 million) at auction in Hong Kong, beating market expectations. The plates were among 49 up for grabs at an annual Lunar New Year auction held by the Transport Department on Sunday. The 'S' plate, a rare single-letter registration mark, fetched HK$14.2 million. The plate had an opening price of just HK$5,000 but a prospective buyer offered HK$8 million as soon as bidding started. Meanwhile, the '88' plate went for HK$11.4 million, with bidding lasting about 13 minutes. The number 8 is associated with the word 'fortune' in Chinese. According to Hong Kong-based insurance broker Automate Wealth Management (AWM), the 'S' plate had been expected to fetch at least HK$10 million ahead of the auction. Single-letter number plates were regarded as a sign of status and 'S' was closely associated with the Superman logo, the firm said.
