From May 25-28, 2009, the USAID Plastic Recycling Project organized a Study Tour in Bulgaria. Project partners representing the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, Municipal Waste Management Inspectors, Public Utility Enterprises, MAPEK (Macedonian Packing Association) and PETRA (Association of PET Collectors and Recyclers) took part in the program.
The Study Tour was organized to follow up on the technical support provided to the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning on finalizing the Law on Packaging and Waste Packing.
In order to promote USAID investments and raise awareness on environmental issues the USAID Plastic Recycling Project and Primary Education Project organized joint event on 23 of May, at the city square in Strumica.
Host of the event were the Mayors of Strumica, Mr Zoran Zaev as well as the Mayors of Novo Selo, Vasileno and Bosilovo.
The event marked the finalization of the pilot phase by organizing presentations of the portfolios by members of the five Green Clubs and quiz focused on environmental themes: energy efficiency, recycling, etc.
On May 13, 2009 a meeting of PETRA Steering Committee was held
Main purpose of the meeting was to define future PETRA activities, having in mind current unfavorable economic conditions affected by the world economic crisis.
During discussion, main priorities regarding PETRA activities were defined:
PETRA will contribute and have an active role in finalizing the draft of the Law for packing, and waste packing,
PETRA will also contribute during public awareness debate, inform all involved parties and give them the opportunity to express their point of view, and suggestions regarding Law Draft,
One of top priorities of PETRA is to help the process of integration of informal groups of waste collectors, within the legal/formal framework,
PETRA will intensify activities related to formal request given to Government, regarding financial aid (subvention) to PET waste collectors and informal groups of collectors.
Public awareness activities, by intensive media presentation of PETRA, will be part of the activities in order to inform wide society about PETRA efforts and goals.
April 23, 2009, Earth Day celebration at the Macedonia Square in Skopje
On April 23, 2009, USAID Plastic Recycling Project organized the Earth Day celebration at the Macedonia Square in Skopje. The event was organized in partnership with the City of Skopje, the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and the Ministry of Economy.
The event gathered more than 700 primary school students, municipalities, Project partners: City of Skopje, Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, Public Utility Company “Komunalna Higiena”, other project’s partners, environmental NGO’s, recycling companies, corporate sponsors, and companies offering organic food for tasting.
The action gained support from the Mayor of Skopje, Koce Trajanovski, Minister of Environment and Physical Planning, Negati Jakupi and US Ambassador Philip T.Reeker. They all stood behind strong environmental activities and emphasized that continuous action should to be taken in order to achieve sustainable change.
Primary school students, in yellow t-shirts, coming from diverse schools all over Macedonia engaged first in a cleaning action in the central streets of Skopje collecting plastic waste. The plastic bottles they collected were stored in a huge recycling bin placed at the center of the Square. Later all engaged in a simulation of recycling by selecting the plastic bottles by color and later offering them to companies for recycling. “We collect the PET however we do not get anything from that- ADOPT THE LAW”- was the message they conveyed to the decision makers.
Olympic Games for 280 students were organized by Open Fun Football Project.
A quiz focused on energy efficiency and recycling was organized by the USAID “Green School” Project, implemented by USAID Primary Education and Plastic Recycling Project. For their commitment and positive values they have managed to promote in their schools, student-members of the Green Clubs were awarded certificates by the US Ambassador Philip T. Reeker.
During the two hour event, students and citizens enjoyed entertainment provided by jongleurs, clowns, pop stars, childrens’ dance groups and others.
Bulgarian Study Tour an excellent learning experience
