Volunteers clean Warnemünde beach: New Year's Eve garbage alarms everyone!

Volunteers clean Warnemünde beach: New Year's Eve garbage alarms everyone!

New Year's morning in Warnemünde was not only filled with a festive mood, but also with an image that is of great concern to many: cleaning up. On January 2, 2026, 15 volunteers as well as employees of the construction yard and city waste disposal met to clear the beach of the remains of the New Year's Eve fireworks. The campaign was organized by the Rostock Marine Waste Table and the Rostock & Warnemünde Tourism Center. A remarkable effort that shows that environmental protection is not just a headline, but also starts on a small scale.

In just two hours, an impressive 37 kilograms of trash was collected, including rocket sticks, plastic tips and battery remains. However, just over half of this waste was in protected dunes, which underlines the concerns of Mila Zarkh, the tourism headquarters' sustainability manager. Your concern? To draw attention to the alarming amounts of waste. This problem is being discussed primarily in connection with the upcoming meeting of the Rostock citizens, at which a vote will be taken on fireworks-free quiet zones.

The pressure on politicians is growing

The purpose of this collection campaign is not just a one-off event. Nardine Stybel, the managing director of the association “EUUC-The Coastal Union Germany”, specifies the demand for a ban on firecrackers on the beach. According to a survey, 59% of the population would like to see an end to private shooting, which makes the obligation for politicians all the more urgent. In view of the high number of injuries and health risks, as documented in numerous reports, the pressure on decision-makers is growing.

• Im Laufe der Silvesternacht 2024/2025 gab es fünf Todesfälle und tausende Verletzungen, die häufig Kinder und Unbeteiligte betrafen.
• Knapp 800 Augenverletzungen wurden gemeldet, 40% davon bei Kindern und Jugendlichen.
• Etwa 8.000 Menschen erleiden jährlich durch Feuerwerkskörper Innenohrschädigungen.
• Feuerwerk hat auch Auswirkungen auf die Luftqualität: An Silvester steigen die Feinstaubwerte vielerorts auf über 1000 µg/m³.

The authorities in charge cannot ignore it. Fireworks not only cause shards and waste, but also a significant burden on our health and the environment. According to the German Medical Association, the injuries caused by firecrackers every year place enormous costs on the statutory health insurance system. Current demands are therefore to rethink the existing regulations for fireworks bans and to create clear, comprehensive guidelines.

A look into the future

Alternatives to New Year's Eve fireworks are being discussed around the world. Cities like Turin, Paris and Brussels are already using fine dust-free options such as light and drone shows. DEHUG and many committed citizens are calling for similar solutions in this country. Ultimately, it's not just about safety, but also about the quality of life in our cities - especially for the little ones and our animal companions.

In summary, the efforts of the volunteers in Warnemünde are an important step in the right direction. But in order to combat the situation sustainably, political action is needed above all - and urgently.