ENVIRONMENT

CIVIL SOCIETY: 46 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

LESS WASTE-BETTER LIFE

LESS WASTE-BETTER LIFE
SUBMITTED FROM:

Nature Friends

http://naturefriends-gr.blogspot.com/



Objective Action

This specific proposal and action is directly related to the 17 goals of the UN for Sustainable Development in 2030 and specifically to the 12th goal for "Responsible consumption and production".

We consider as an innovation of the program the highlighting of combined actions and behaviors:

a) on a personal level and citizen/consumer behavior [we only buy useful products and not based on advertising – holistic economy | preference for products that can be reused and recycled],

b) at the collective level of Civil Society [exchange – donate – repair – reuse – recycle) | Support at neighborhood level or even special initiatives (e.g. for the collection and recycling of cooking oils)]

c) at the institutional level [application of European and national legislation].
   
At the first two levels, personal and social, the program is designed to inform and change buying and consumption behaviours, to contribute to an Environmental education to "prevent" the creation of waste. The proposal emphasizes the "prevention" and reduction of waste production, which is the basic principle of the Environmental movement, which is expressed by the phrase "The best garbage is that which was not produced and no one has to manage it".

At an institutional level, in the area of Urban/Solid Waste (MSW) management, when despite all efforts waste has been generated, then the management model should be ready to operate according to the principle of proximity (sorting and disposal at the source/as as close as possible to the place of their creation) with the directives of the European Union and the National Legislation, to be reliable, decentralized and socially just.

 

Target Audience

1. With Municipalities and Regions,
2. Consumer organizations (e.g. Consumer Protection Union of Central Greece etc.)
3. Bodies – Associations
4. Educational community,
5. Environmental Education Centers,
6. "Antonis Tritsis" Metropolitan Park [in conjunction with "KIVOTO. Old seeds for new crops'],
7. Special Interlevel Association of the Prefecture of Attica ESDNA (Urban Waste Management Agency),
8. Hellenic Organization for Recycling E.O.AN,
9. Region of Attica,
10. European bodies of Civil Society (CSO),
11. Connection with the Waste Zero movement.
12. Networking of interested parties - involved (citizens, organizations, municipalities, etc.)

 

Duration

From 2017 - 2022


Description

In particular, the object of the program, which is implemented with the own human and financial resources of FRIENDS OF NATURE and is ongoing, is:

In particular, the object of the program, which is implemented with the own human and financial resources of FRIENDS OF NATURE and is ongoing, is:

1. Contribute to "changing behavior and entrenched perceptions" by promoting the first four options in order of the "pyramid": 1. Prevention - 2. Minimize/Reduce Volume - 3. Reuse - 4. Recycle. [pyramid attached] | AVOID - REDUSE - REUSE - RECYCLE. [Many products and items fall into disrepute due to technological development, fashion, advertising, etc., however they may be useful to other people]

2. To promote good practices, information and instructions for the most rational, ecological and economic management of Municipal Waste (MSW).

3. To act as "urgent" to the Local Government Organizations for the implementation of the European and National Legislation for the benefit of the environment, public health and the economy as well as the Guide of the European Commission "Waste Prevention Programmes" WPPs.

4. The information, promotion and support of the recent Joint Ministerial Decision (10.8.2017) to reduce the use of plastic bags in compliance with the European Union directive (2015/720/EU) and the harmful effects on marine life [ Appendix -3, 14 and 15)

5. To promote "self-sufficiency - self-production", cultivation in the city (Urban Agriculture) and the reduction of food waste. http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/el/headlines/society/20170505STO73528/graphema-aporrimmata-trophimon-sten-ee


more...

Impact on Society

The program is characterized as an "information, awareness and dissemination project", according to the categorization of LIFE programs, and has as its object the information and at the same time the action of Civil Society on environmental and quality of life issues.
The program responds to the invitation of our country's "National Strategic Plan for the Prevention of Waste Generation", which provides for "Encouraging social initiatives for more direct participation in waste management, within a system of public decentralized management" and "Ensuring the high protection of the environment and human health".

Means of influence: Implementation of the 'behaviour and perception change' of the 'Defra model' communication framework, known as the 4E's, is through:

1. Creation of a special informative, educational SITE, http://naturefriends-gr.blogspot.com/search/label/Diairesi%20to%20waste

2. Information brochures a) for Local Government Organizations/ OTAs – Legislation and good practices from other countries b) Citizens – Good practices, Shopping Guide etc., c) Press releases and announcements,

3. Seminars,

4. Visits to recycling, composting, biological cleaning sites,

5. Voluntary clean-ups of parks (e.g. "Antoni Tritsi", "Baroutadiko", "Rema Ilisou") with the parallel aim of information and environmental education,

6. Roadshows [Touring informative events in parks, festivals, house parties, folk, etc.]



Initiative Location

NATIONWIDE


Working with Organization

Cooperation with agencies, municipalities, teachers is in the DNA of FtF as long as it is based on common (or similar) goals for improving the environment and the quality of life.

In this specific program, we have collaborated with more than 100 organizations from all over Greece, sending our own materials, publications, information, etc. We have taken part in voluntary clean-ups of parks and beaches, participated as presenters in events held to reduce Urban Waste and manage it in an ecologically, economically and socially just way.
[More HERE http://naturefriends-gr.blogspot.gr/2017/11/blog-post.html]


More...…

Workers Participation

The members (100), volunteers (30) and scientific collaborators (Chemical engineers, Environmentalists, Local Government Executives, etc.) participate in training, updating and adapting the program according to requirements, new data, etc. etc.


More...…
Photos

Benefits for Οrganization

The preparation and implementation of the program gave, and still gives, the possibility to:

• To realize the seriousness of the problem,
• To develop the expertise of our executives,
• To educate members, volunteers and collaborators on a complex, complex issue such as "Urban waste management" in which: European Union, Government (with dozens of ministries and agencies), Regions, Municipalities are involved. The training was carried out by applying "Citizen Science" which is a subject and is mentioned as a long-term goal in the "Operational Planning 2018 - 2022" (p. 27) of FtF.
• To develop actions and synergies with Municipalities, agencies and the educational community,
• To utilize and promote good practices of Municipalities, organizations and citizen groups for the reduction of Urban Waste,
• Networking and cooperation of FtF with other environmental organizations in Greece and in Europe improved (FtF was the only organization that declared participation in the European Urban Waste Reduction Week in 2017) http://naturefriends-gr.blogspot.gr/ 2017/11/18-26-2017.html http://www.ewwr.eu/actions/project_archive_new/less-waste-better-life
• FtF is recognized as a partner since we participate in the public consultation for the drafting of bills on the topic of MSW Management (recently 02.02.2018 e.g. http://naturefriends-gr.blogspot.gr/2018/02/blog-post_3 .html)
• The implementation of the program contributed to the acquisition of know-how, the improvement of networking, the development of recognition, the recognition of prestige and responsibility.




Connection with Global Goals






Send us your feedback Print
The Sustainable Greece Ιnitiative launched by QualityNet Foundation