On the national German and European Union level, the topic resource use is of central importance in the context of sustainable development. The „sixth environmental action programme“ accepted in 2002 points out the priorities of the European Union environmental policy for a period of ten years (2002-2012). Priorities of the program are climate protection, biodiversity, natural resources and waste disposal (Official Journal of the European communities L 242 (10.09.2002), P. 1-15).