Days Off and Dirty Cars: The Sunday Car Wash Saga in Rhineland-Palatinate
Dirty car remains on Sunday. - Sundays see the vehicle remaining unswept, unsanitized.
Here's a quick rundown for those looking to wash their car on a Sunday - unfortunately, in Rhineland-Palatinate, it's a no-go. But in neighboring states like Hesse, it's a different story. Critics are screaming for a change, but so far, the powers that be have kept the old rules intact.
For service station operators, this archaic ban is just another relic of the past. With stations open on Sundays and many self-run car washes, it's high time for an update. After all, in many European countries, people are free to pick their wash day.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) might be taking a hit
Because of the ban in Rhineland-Palatinate (and other states), these operators estimate an annual loss of 5,000 to 10,000 euros, according to their association. But it's not just about the money. Car washes are also far more water-efficient and eco-friendly compared to a home wash, which can overburden local sewers or even harm the environment directly.
The Minister President isn't listening
Despite a request from the Association for a conversation, Rhineland-Palatinate Minister President Alexander Schweitzer (SPD) has remained tight-lipped.Outside of the garden or unpaved surfaces, car washing regulations are a bit of a mystery. They're mostly determined by law, and a fine might be in the cards if you're caught washing your car in the wrong spot.
BUND offers some guidelines
The environmental association BUND recommends opting for approved self-service car washes or car washes for your car wash needs. These facilities properly pre-clean, separate, and discharge wastewater, keeping our environment safe. They suggest sticking to shorter programs for optimal efficiency. While home washing might seem more convenient, car washes actually use less water overall due to recycling.
The Ministry of the Interior confirmed the status quo
The Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry of the Interior recently clarified that operating car washes and car wash stations on Sundays and public holidays is still prohibited. The reasoning? It disturbs peace and contradicts the spirit of Sundays and public holidays, even when the car wash has a commercial purpose.
The labor union DGB agrees, viewing Sunday as a day for relaxation, spending time with family and friends, and even volunteering. They want to preserve this special day.
Calls for a rethink
The Free Democrat Koblenz state parliamentarian, Stephan Wefelscheid, sees the ban as outdated. Most car washes aren't near residential areas and are self-service. He questions how such activities in an industrial area could disrupt the peace. In a society where both partners often work long hours, Wefelscheid argues, such restrictions are outdated and antiquated. He, like the Tankstellen-Interessenverband, is advocating for a reevaluation of the ban by the state government.
For the latest information on any changes to the car wash ban in Rhineland-Palatinate, keep an eye on local government pages or regional news sources[1][3].
- The Association of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) in Rhineland-Palatinate, strongly belief that the old ban on Sunday car washing is not only affecting their revenue, estimating an annual loss of 5,000 to 10,000 euros, but also promoting water inefficiency and environmental harm as home washes rack up the water usage compared to eco-friendly self-service car washes.
- The environmental association BUND advises the public to utilize approved self-service car washes or car washes, as these facilities not only utilize industry-standard pre-cleaning, separating, and wastewater disposal practices but also are proven to use less water overall due to recycling.
- Koblenz state parliamentarian Stephan Wefelscheid, a member of the Free Democrats, vehemently argues for a review of the ban on car wash operations on Sundays and public holidays, viewing it as an antiquated restriction in light of contemporary society's work patterns and the minimal disturbance caused by self-service car washes in industrial areas, whereas the labor union DGB remains steadfast in its proposal to maintain Sundays as a day for rest, relaxation, and volunteering.
