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For Plastic Free Croatian Islands

For Plastic Free Croatian Islands

The “For Plastic Free Croatian Islands” project has successfully concluded, achieving significant strides in combating plastic pollution on the islands of Dugi Otok and Hvar. Driven by the determination of local municipalities to address plastic waste, the project aimed to implement waste management practices based on reduction, reuse, and recycling principles.

Project Objectives

The project aimed to increase knowledge and information on waste management and plastic pollution, educate the public about the environmental impact of plastic waste, and build partnerships to support sustainable waste management and reduce single-use plastics.

Major Project Achievements

The project achieved several key outcomes:

  1. Municipal Action Plans: Collaboration with municipalities resulted in the adoption of action plans for reducing plastic pollution in Stari Grad and Sali, targeting completion by 2026. These plans, available on the BeMed resources page, were developed with input from key community stakeholders during workshops.
  2. Evaluation Framework: An evaluation framework detailing each step and objective was created to track the implementation of the action plans with precise indicators. Examples include:
    • Development of packaging-free store promotion projects and co-financing programs.
    • 55% reduction in municipal plastic waste by 2025.
    • Creation of a reuse center in collaboration with civil society organizations.
    • Introduction of separate biowaste collection.
    • Implementation of a citizen reporting system for illegal dumping.
    • Surveillance of sites where illegal waste disposal occurs regularly.
  3. Awareness and Engagement Events: Multiple events were organized to raise awareness and engage local stakeholders. These included two forums and two “plastic-free” events (Christmas market, fish market, jazz festival, and a trail race) focused on the effects of plastic on marine ecosystems and the importance of reducing plastic use in daily life.
  4. Closing Event: The mid-September 2022 “Beyond Plastic Croatia” event brought together 50 participants, including local authorities, BeMed community members, Croatian NGOs, and scientists. Topics discussed included waste management, single-use plastic use, and the state of Mediterranean pollution. Regional and national media coverage amplified the project’s results, with a live broadcast available on Facebook.
  5. Study Trips: Despite initial COVID-19 restrictions necessitating a virtual study trip focusing on waste management best practices, two subsequent study trips were organized in Italy and Croatia. Participants learned about resource management systems in Italy and visited Zlarin Island, known for minimal single-use plastic consumption, and Krk Island, which boasts the highest waste sorting rate.

Future Perspectives

Throughout the project’s activities and participation in the Capimed project, the Sunce Association built a network of actors in Croatia and the Mediterranean implementing similar waste management and plastic pollution reduction projects. Numerous events (workshops, study trips) organized with these partners contributed to network consolidation.

Updated: June 12, 2024

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