Local Governance Network

Germany has one of the most effective bottle return systems in the world, known as the Pfand system, which encourages recycling through financial incentives. When you buy drinks in glass or plastic bottles marked with a Pfand label, typically labeled “Mehrweg” for reusable or “Einweg” for single-use, you pay a small deposit, usually between €0.08 and €0.25 per bottle.

According to Live in Germany, you can return these bottles at most supermarkets using automated machines. Once deposited, the machine prints a receipt that you can redeem for cash or use as credit toward your groceries.

This system is backed by national legislation and has led to return rates of over 97% for PET bottles, according to Settle in Berlin. It’s not just about recycling, it’s about creating a circular economy where bottles are reused multiple times before being retired.

In Germany, “Green Gyms” are redefining fitness by blending physical exercise with community gardening, creating a win-win for health and the environment. Instead of traditional indoor workouts, participants engage in activities like digging, planting, weeding, and watering — all of which provide full-body exercise while contributing to a shared garden space. These sessions are designed to improve cardiovascular fitness, build muscle strength, and enhance flexibility, but without the monotony of repetitive gym routines.

The concept promotes not just physical health, but also mental well-being. Working in nature has been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall life satisfaction. The social aspect of Green Gyms fosters connections between neighbors, encouraging teamwork and a sense of community pride.

The gardens themselves are an added benefit, producing fresh, organic fruits and vegetables that participants can take home or donate to local food banks. This helps promote healthier diets and reduce food insecurity, all while teaching sustainable farming techniques.

Funded by municipalities and volunteer organizations, Green Gyms are open to all age groups and fitness levels. They prove that staying active doesn’t have to be confined to a gym — it can be rooted in the soil, surrounded by nature, and shared with others.

2021 had its challenges…but we are so blessed here in our respective cities Let’s be thankful today and look forward to new opportunities ahead in 2022!

In 2009, Todd Bol built a tiny schoolhouse in honour of his mother, a teacher with a love of reading. He put the model on the front lawn of his Wisconsin home, filled it with books and invited his neighbours to take and leave them.

In less than a decade, the Little Free Libraries movement has grown to some 50,000 street boxes in more than 70 countries around the world. There are more than 100 locations across Toronto.

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