The DBU promotional initiative for ecological supply and waste disposal of mountain huts has provided approximately € 3 million for environmental improvements. The goal: the owners of the approximately 1,600 mountain huts and inns of the alpine clubs shall turn to »smooth tourism« and non-polluting sewage concepts, to electricity from renewable energies and waste avoidance.

Ecologically compatible
The Mindelheim hut of the German alpine association plays a pioneer role in environmental compatibility. Here in the Allgäu Alps at a height of 2038 m the sewage disposal and the supply with water and electricity is at its most modern stand. The snowfield - once an all-summer water supply - has frequently melted completely by mid-season. Now, two new sources provide the hut with drinking-water. Moreover rainwater is collected from the roof surfaces and used to flush toilets. Photovoltaic cells generate electricity. Even the energy intensive transport cable railway can be powered with it - in bottle-neck periods supported by a rapeseed oil driven block-type thermal power station. A subterranean full-biological purification plant provides that the biological proportion of sewage can be led back into the cycle.