Environment

Excellent

sustainability

09. October 2024

Environmental Department

Büngern technology wins Bocholt Sustainability Award

City of Bocholt honours exemplary initiatives for sustainable action for the first time

On 8 October 2024, the city of Bocholt awarded a sustainability prize for the first time in recognition of exemplary achievements in the areas of climate, social and economic issues. The first prize, worth 5,000 euros, was awarded to Büngern-Technik, a workshop for people with disabilities, for the idea of reusable grave lights. The award ceremony took place in the large lecture theatre at Bocholt University of Applied Sciences, where Mayor Thomas Kerkhoff welcomed the guests.

On the one hand, the award recognises individual and collective initiatives, while at the same time serving as inspiration for others. This idea was expressed in the laudatory speeches by Michael Wiesmann (Chairman of the Tourism and Economy Committee), Monika Ludwig (Chairwoman of the Environment and Green Committee) and Philipp Terhart (Chairman of the Labour, Health, Equality and Social Affairs Committee) for the three selected award winners. A total of 24 applications were received. The prize was awarded for initiatives that were implemented or launched in 2023. The prize money was sponsored by Bocholter Energie- und Wasserversorgung.

1st prize: Büngern technology

Sustainability Award Bocholt 1st place — © Stadt Bocholt
Reusable grave lights - this idea was well received: The representatives of Büngern-Technik accept the first prize.

The first prize, worth €5,000, was awarded to Büngern-Technik, a workshop for people with disabilities, for its product "Cera Lights". These reusable grave lights made from environmentally friendly rapeseed wax offer a sustainable alternative to conventional disposable plastic products.

They are produced by people with disabilities, which supports their participation in working life.

2nd prize: WHS student project

Sustainability Award Bocholt 2nd place — © Stadt Bocholt
Convinced the jury: The students from the University of Applied Sciences took second place.

The second prize of 2,500 euros went to the initiative "Little Heroes for the Earth". Students at the Westphalian University of Applied Sciences developed an educational concept to familiarise kindergarten children with the topic of sustainability.

They created and illustrated stories that present complex topics such as the destruction of the rainforest and the waste of resources in a child-friendly way and developed suitable material boxes for kindergartens.

3rd place: Repair Café

Sustainability Award Bocholt 3rd place — © Stadt Bocholt
Repairing instead of throwing away is their passion: representatives of the Repair Café are delighted with 3rd place.

The third prize, worth €1,000, was awarded to the "Repair Cafe", which has stood for sustainability in practice for ten years.

Volunteers repair defective items here, helping to conserve resources and preserve values. The donations generated are channelled into social projects.

The evening was moderated by Sascha Terörde from the city's Climate Protection Department. Lectures by Prof Daniela Kattwinkel and Dr Desiree Schulte gave the guests interesting insights into the origins and significance of "sustainability" from a scientific perspective. The duo "Django Flint" provided the musical backdrop.

The next Sustainability Award ceremony is planned for 2026 - for project ideas from 2025.

Here you can find general information about the Bocholt Sustainability Award.