Since 2021, PENNY has been the first grocery retailer in Austria to stop selling fireworks, thereby setting an example for environmental protection and animal welfare. "This decision is a conscious measure to make a positive contribution to preserving our environment and biodiversity in Austria," explains PENNY Managing Director Kai Pataky.
For years, there have been increasing calls for a reduction in private fireworks and for retailers to remove pyrotechnics from their product ranges. Fireworks are not only an enormous noise nuisance for people and animals, but also lead to high levels of fine dust pollution. Animals also suffer silently: the deafening noise and bright lights cause them fear and great stress.
The animal welfare association with the largest animal shelter in Austria has also been campaigning for a New Year's Eve without fear for years. "The turn of the year is a special event, and many people cannot imagine life without fireworks. We understand the desire and importance for people, but we urge them not to forget the animals and to use fireworks in moderation. Not only pets and our animal shelter residents suffer from the fireworks every year, but wild animals also try to flee in panic from the far too loud firecrackers and fireworks. Many run disoriented on the streets or bump into fences, lampposts and house walls," says MMag. Dr. Madeleine Petrovic, President of the Vienna Animal Protection Association (Tierschutz Austria). "We also ask all those who cannot do without buying fireworks to only buy products approved in Austria. These cause less noise and leave behind only harmless (paper) waste. By the way: it is still not permitted to use fireworks at airports, hospitals or animal shelters, and yet we see it every year."
Mountains of garbage on New Year's Eve
The environmental impact can also no longer be overlooked: Fireworks generate up to 1,000 tons of additional waste every year consisting of burnt paper scraps, plastics and metallic components of the fireworks - much of it on New Year's Eve. While the waste is disposed of in the cities with great effort by the waste collection service, many firework remnants also remain in nature and become a permanent source of environmental pollution, endangering flora and fauna. "The decision to avoid fireworks and thus reduce mountains of waste is a decisive step towards a sustainable approach to our environment and shows how we can protect our planet and its inhabitants by making conscious decisions," adds Kai Pataky.
Another bonus: Relief for PENNY employees
The ban on the sale of fireworks will also reduce the workload of around 3,000 PENNY employees throughout Austria. This additional effort for logistics as well as safe storage and handling was also ended with the sales stop. This underlines PENNY's role as a leading discounter that is actively committed to a sustainable and more animal-friendly future in Austria.
More information can be found at www.penny.at
