THE RECYCLING DAYS CAMPAIGN IN OHRID FINISHED

From 25 July - 3 August, 2008, in Ohrid, the USAID Plastic Recycling Project organized the Campaign under the name Days of Recycling.  The motto of the Campaign was Together for a clean Ohrid Riviera.  The activities were carried out in cooperation with the municipality Ohrid, JP Ohridski Komunalec and the non-governmental institution “Jagoda”. 

The aim of the campaign was to increase public sensibility for proper  treatment of plastic waste.  The activities involved the students from the elementary school “Grigor Prlicev”, volunteers who distribute educational leaflets on daily basis, citizens who enthusiastically took part in the cleaning activities, as well as the media that inform the public about the events on daily basis.

More than 300 citizens took part in the cleaning activities that took place simultaneously in Ohrid and Struga on 26 july.  In just one hour, more than 50 kg of plastic waste were collected on the beach Daljan in Ohrid, while in Struga the citizens fetched over 200 kg of plastic waste to the “female” beach.  The most ardent were rewarded with caps, t-shirts, and packets of juice provided by M&A Beverages and Gorska. 

The Campaign kicked off  with a spectacular happening on the square “Kliment Ohridski”.  At the opening, the gathered people were addressed by Meri Cuculovksa, VD Director  in the Economic Development Sector in USAID, and Tome Dzamtoski, public relations person. 

“Preserving a clean environment is a global problem with which our country is also faced.  Establishing a method for primary selection of plastic waste is a very important step towards preserving the environment.  That is precisely why all factors in the country, including the citizens, the representatives of the local self-government and the NGOs should come together in the search for solutions", said Meri Cuculovska, VD Director  in the Economic Development Sector in USAID.

With the aim to encourage the participation og different age groups, parties were organized during which the recycling was promoted through video clips.  The parties were organized at the cafe Liquid and on the beach Cuba Libre in Ohrid.

The last day of the campaign was once more reserved for the youngest, who have a very special role in the recycling project Campaign.  On 30 july, on the Ohrid square, the participants drew on containers, made shapes from used plastic packaging, took part in an educational quiz  organized by M&A Beverages.  In this way they once again showed the adults that they are the leaders of changes and promoters of new trends for environment protection.

The Campaign was supported by : The Ministry of Environment and Spacial Planning, Prilepska Pivarnica, T-Mobile, M&A Beveridges, cafe Liquid, Cuba Libre, Gorska, Antenna 5 and Super Radio Ohrid.

NOTE TO EDITORS:
The American people, through USAID, have invested nearly $500 million in Macedonia since 1993. USAID is implementing projects that create jobs, reduce corruption, and prepare Macedonian students for the workforce. These initiatives improve the quality of life and support Macedonia’s transition to a stable and prosperous democracy. USAID provides economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 100 countries. For more information please visit http://macedonia.usaid.gov.