Brand discounter PENNY stops the sale of fireworks
Together with Tierschutz Austria, PENNY makes an important contribution to human and animal health
Reduction of waste and fine dust for a sustainable environment
Every year, the fine dust values in many cities reach their highest level on New Year's Eve. In addition to the alarming consequences for the environment, the high level of heavy metals in the air can also reach levels that are harmful to our health. "We have therefore decided to stop the sale of fireworks and thus make an important contribution to the protection of nature and species in Austria," explains PENNY CEO Ralf Teschmit.
Extreme burden on animals
Fireworks reach a sound level of up to 190 dB within a radius of 15 metres. By comparison, a jet engine at a distance of 25 metres creates a sound level of 140 dB. Not only the noise, but also the light effects and the sulphur content in the air, become a danger for animals: because wild animals, dogs and cats always perceive the deafening noise, the bright flashes and the unfamiliar smells as a life-threatening situation and panic and become stressed. "Many of them injure themselves seriously or even die during escape reactions. For years, we have therefore been calling for a ban on private fireworks and appealing to retailers to remove pyrotechnics from their product ranges. We are therefore very pleased that PENNY is the first company to heed this call and to join us in promoting animal welfare in Austria in the future," says Madeleine Petrovic, President of Tierschutz Austria, the operator of Austria's largest animal shelter.
Mountains of rubbish at New Year
Up to 1000 tons of additional rubbish is caused by burnt fireworks every year - a large part of it on New Year's Eve, as is well known. While the rubbish in the cities is removed with great effort by the rubbish collectors, a lot of firework remains are often left lying around ind nature.
Relief for PENNY employees
The decision to not sell fireworks will also relieve the 300 PENNY shops and their employees throughout Austria. This additional effort for logistics as well as safe storage and handling will now also come to an end by stopping the sales.
