The project "Plastic Waste in the Circular Economy: Community Solutions" is designed by AO "Verde e Moldova" in partnership with AO Training and consulting center "E-CIRCULAR" with the financial support of the Small Grants Program GEF SGP Moldova, implemented by UNDP.
Project objectives:
- Completion of the Reference Study and Action Plan on Plastic Waste.
- Reducing PLASTIC pollution for "ZERO WASTE" Communities by promoting waste prevention and giving up single-use plastic.
- Developing responsible plastic waste management skills among teachers and students.
- Analysis of ecological and circular alternatives and solutions to reduce plastic waste in the tourism sector.
The actuality of the project for the Republic of Moldova is argued primarily by the increase in the amount of waste, including plastic, generated at least in the last 10 years, most of which is disposed of through storage. At the moment, the recycling rate of plastic waste is only 4-5 %, the rest of the generated quantities (estimated 34 kg/person/year) end up in landfills. Consequently, in addition to intense environmental pollution, there is also an impact on public health, especially due to single-use products made from a wide range of plastic materials to which various additives are added.
In the context in which Recycling plastic waste is not the most ecological option in reducing pollution, and the separate collection of plastic waste at the source does not guarantee its recycling, the project proposed the identification and application of several solutions with an emphasis on Prevention, Reduction and Reuse and respectively the promotion of the concept of "Zero Waste" Communities for 3 beneficiary localities: Străseni municipality/ Căpriana Monastery, Orhei (Trebujeni village)/Orheiul Vechi and Soroca municipality/Soroca Fortress. Each of these localities, in addition to expanding the infrastructure for the separate collection of plastic waste, will actively participate in the identification and implementation of effective solutions to prevent plastic pollution, as the most effective, healthy and economical tool in the fight against this waste.