The House of European History in Brussels opens a new Exhibition on the history of waste in Europe. Starting with the industrial revolution, ‘’Throwaway’’ brings us on a journey through wartime scarcity, the surge in post-war consumerism, and finishes with today’s insurmountable waste crisis. The House of European History (HEH) inuagurated in 2017 aims to encourage citizens to reflect upon and debate about the history of Europe and of European integration.

museum

Brussels

statement

waste

House of European History (T)

PÖTTERING, Hans-Gert (EPP, DE)

exhibition

ŠIMEČKA, Michal (Renew, SK)

Exhibition on ”Throwaway – The history of a modern crisis”: illustrative shots of the exhibition and statement by Michal ŠIMEČKA (Renew, SK), EP Vice-President

External view of the House of European History, Brussels, Belgium, 28/02/23 (2 shots)

Interior views of the House of European History: Exhibition on &rdquo;Throwaway &ndash; The history of a modern crisis, Brussels, Belgium, 28/02/23 (10 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English),  Hans-Gert P&#214;TTERING, Former EP President , Garbage collectors, street cleaners, composting volunteers and environmental activists share their experiences with handling waste. They give their views on what more needs to be done to tackle the issues

SOUNDBITE (English), Michal &#352;IME&#268;KA, Vice EP President, It's difficult to overstate how crucial is the issue of waste, the issue of trash indeed is in our today's world. It contributes to climate change but it's almost at the center of also what the European Parliament does, what the European Commission does, what the European Union does. It's part of this wider crisis that our climate is undergoing, a part of this wider effort to address the various aspects of the crisis and waste management and air pollution is definitely a major part of that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michal &#352;IME&#268;KA, EP Vice President, I'm happy to say that the Parliament is actually a pioneer in in fighting climate change within its own remit. I can tell you that as Vice President of the Parliament, it's a major issue almost at every bureau meeting that we have, how to save energy, how to lower our consumption, how to make the European Parliament more climate friendly.

SOUNDBITE (English), Michal &#352;IME&#268;KA, Vice President, One million plastic bottles are purchased every minute. Up to five trillion plastic bags are used worldwide every year. Half of all plastic produced is used just once and then, as the title of our exhibition suggests, thrown away.

Interior views of the House of European History: Exhibition on &rdquo;Throwaway &ndash; The history of a modern crisis. Visite with Hans-Gert P&Ouml;TTERING, Former EP President,  Michal &Scaron;IMEČKA, Vice EP President, and  Christine DUPONT, exhibition curator. Brussels, Belgium, 28/02/23  (4 shots)