Mainz University of Applied Sciences’ Carnival float, “Meerwert Helau,” was named a finalist for the 2025 German Sustainability Award (DNP) in the “Products” category within the “Society” transformation field. This year marks the 18th time the DNP has recognized pioneering contributions to the transition toward a sustainable future. The winners were announced during a festive awards ceremony on December 5, 2025, in Düsseldorf.
The Most Comprehensive Award of Its Kind in Europe
The award has been presented by the German Sustainability Award Foundation (Stiftung Deutscher Nachhaltigkeitspreis e.V.) since 2008 and aims to motivate all key stakeholders to drive change, connect them across borders, and foster partnerships. With multiple categories, the DNP is Europe’s largest and most comprehensive award for environmental and social commitment.
The German Sustainability Award is aligned with the goals of the 2030 Agenda and thus with key areas of transformation such as climate, nature, resources, the value chain, and society. The competitions focus on areas where there is particularly urgent need for action. They reflect the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the German federal government’s sustainability strategy.
In 2025, the DNP will honor pioneers of sustainability in the categories of companies, products, health, and architecture. The Product Award provides a platform for targeted breakthroughs: products, services, systems, campaigns, or initiatives that achieve concrete progress in at least one of the five areas of transformation.
Mainz University of Applied Sciences Focuses on Sustainability and Interaction on Rose Monday
The “Meerwert Helau” was an interactive carnival float created by Mainz University of Applied Sciences for the 2025 Mainz Rose Monday parade, designed to draw attention to plastic pollution in the oceans. The float was powered by human muscle power and featured an octopus made from recycled plastic waste. Participants, dressed in costumes they designed themselves, collected returnable bottles, with the total number displayed live. The proceeds from the bottles were donated to an organization that cleans up litter from bodies of water.
“Meerwert Helau” was already honored in June 2025 with the “Helau for Tomorrow – Mayor of Mainz Award for Sustainability in Carnival.” The city of Mainz is working to make the Rose Monday parade and Carnival in general more sustainable and less litter-prone. In this context, the mayor launched the award this year.
Finalist for the Federal Ecodesign Award
The Mainz University of Applied Sciences’ Carnival float was also a finalist in the Federal Ecodesign Award. As part of the competition, the “Meerwert Helau” project was exhibited in Berlin from September 20 to 23, 2025. The Federal Ecodesign Award honors designers, companies, and students from Germany and Europe whose work makes an important contribution to the sustainable transformation of the economy and society. The competition has been held annually since 2012 by the Federal Ministry for the Environment and the Federal Environment Agency in cooperation with the International Design Center Berlin.
