Pollution Prevention

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My booklet #ocean without plastic (Morocco) [2024]

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Country: Morocco

Target: Students and schools; Local communities and residents, Kids and Families, Teachers and Schools, Tourists and Visitors.

Short Description

To educate about the importance of protecting the coastal environment, engaging booklets were designed and distributed at the Blue Flag awarded beaches. as well as to groups of guides and scouts from the National Federation of Moroccan Scouting, summer camps, and school pupils.

The booklets were prepared to promote collective responsibility and sustainable practices to preserve the Moroccan coastline. Through numerous exercises and games, children could learn about the marine biodiversity and endangered species. They were also able to discover what simple actions can contribute to protecting the beaches and marine ecosystem.

Civic Amenity Centre Project (Türkiye) [2024]

Country: Türkiye

Site: Şile Municipality

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students.

Short Description

The Şile Municipality designed environmental education workshops that are carried out at the local Waste Collection Center. Each session starts with basic training on environmental awareness, zero waste projects, recycling, and residents´ civic duties in waste management.

An interactive art workshop is provided where the participants restore old pieces of furniture that are later donated to local people in need. At the end of a session, attendees visit the Waste Houses to improve their knowledge of correct waste disposal and segregation.

This project targets various age groups, helps spread environmental awareness on pollution, and ensures that citizens have sufficient knowledge to separate their domestic waste adequately. This is part of a strategy to turn waste collection centres into accesible facilities for residents to learn about circular economy and waste management.

Microplastics, recycling, and zero waste workshops (Canada) [2024]

Country: Canada

Site: Port Stanley Main Beach (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students.

Short Description

To enhance pollution prevention and environmental stewardship in Port Stanley, Canada, the municipality partnered with Ecodemy. Together, they delivered three interactive workshops to elementary classes in the community. The workshops covered the following topics: microplastics, recycling, and Zero Waste 101.

During the microplastic workshop, students learned about the impact of microplastics on local habitats and wildlife, the common sources of microplastic pollution, bioaccumulation, as well as the importance of the Blue Flag award, ocean and lake clean-up initiatives, and water conservation.

As part of the Recycling workshop, the students participated in an interactive Sorting Relay Activity. The province’s new solution and Producer-Led Recycling Program was also discussed.

In the third workshop, the students explored the fundamentals of Zero Waste, and were challenged to predict the time it takes for common materials to break down in landfills.

Basket Pet - Score for the Environment (Mexico) [2024]

Country: Mexico

Site: Playa 88, Punta Esmeralda (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students; staff; tourists and visitors.

Short Description

Basket PET is an innovative idea that contributes to community engagement, while gamifying the process of plastic waste recycling. Implemented in 4 different sites, the baskets were adapted to the conditions and needs of each place, with the participation of staff from different areas and collaborating companies.

Users remove and dispose of plastic bottle lids, empty the liquid residue in a dedicated tank to avoid contamination, and toss the bottle in the basket to dispose of them in the container. Pallets were reused to transform the them into containers. This project encourages the correct disposal of PET in a unique and fun way.

Action and Transformation - From Cleanups to Public Facilities (Brazil) [2024]

Country: Brazil

Site: Praia Grande (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students; staff; civil society.

Short Description

“Action and Transformation - From Beach Cleanups to Public Facilities” highlights a creative approach to waste management and community engagement through partnerships and innovative recycling methods.

Initiative overview: in collaboration with Ecolocal Brasil, the project transformed waste collected from beach cleanups into practical public facilities. This included the creation of toy boxes for collecting PET bottle caps, signs for waste disposal, and benches made from recycled materials.

Materials and process: waste from the 2022/2023 beach cleaning season was repurposed into thermoplastics for new products. Non-recyclable materials were compacted and transformed into functional items such as trash cans, toy boxes, and signage.

Community engagement and impact: the campaign utilized social media, including Instagram and Facebook, to raise awareness and promote the project. Public facilities and ecological walks served as platforms to educate beachgoers about recycling and waste management. The campaign video garnered significant engagement with 26,626 views, 886 likes, and 92 comments, demonstrating widespread community interest and support.

This initiative not only improved beach cleanliness but also promoted environmental awareness and practical recycling solutions.

Rocky Coasts of Balneario Camboriú (Brazil) [2024]

Country: Brazil

Site: Praia de Taquaras (beach)

Target: Local community and residents; local schools and students; university.

Short Description

he "Rocky Coasts of Balneário Camboriú" project, initiated in 2021 by the Environmental Secretariat of Balneário Camboriú in partnership with the University of Vale do Itajaí (UNIVALI), focuses on cleaning and raising awareness about the rocky coasts in the municipality. The project involves:

  • Waste Collection and Analysis: the project systematically collects, quantifies, and qualifies waste from 13 rocky coasts, both above and below water. Over 15,000 items totaling 1.2 tons were collected, with plastics, styrofoam, glass, ceramics, and fishing gear being the most common.

  • Educational Outreach: an educational booklet, "Rocky Coasts of Balneário Camboriú: Their Attributes and Problems with Waste," was published to highlight the ecological, scenic, and cultural significance of these coasts. This booklet, along with lectures by oceanographers and biologists, will be distributed to municipal public schools and used in environmental education activities.

  • Public Engagement and Future Actions: The booklet and lectures aim to inform the local community about the importance of the rocky coasts and encourage scientific discussions on marine litter. The project also proposes actions to combat waste, including legislative proposals.

This initiative demonstrates a comprehensive approach to waste management and environmental education, engaging both local schools and the broader community.

Waste Management: Pollution Reduction (Trinidad & Tobago) [2024]

Country: Trinidad and Tobago

Site: Miss Ayana (tourism boat)

Target: Local community and residents; schools and students; staff; civil society.

Short Description

Waste Management - Pollution Reduction” highlights a proactive approach taken by the crew of Miss Ayana in Trinidad and Tobago to address coastal pollution associated with tourism boats.

Initiative overview: the crew members of Miss Ayana conducted a coastal cleanup and waste separation activity at No-Mans-Land, Tobago. This area is frequented by tour boats, making it crucial to prevent waste from entering the ocean. The activity aimed to ensure that boat operators properly manage their waste to protect the marine environment.

Community engagement: during the cleanup, the crew educated other boat operators on the importance of proper waste separation and management practices. This outreach was essential to encourage responsible behavior and ensure the use of bins provided by the Tobago Recycling Resources Initiative.

Environmental impact: the initiative contributed to a reduction in solid waste generation from tourism boat activities. By emphasizing the importance of using designated recycling bins, the crew helped mitigate pollution and promote sustainable practices among boat operators. This project not only improved waste management in a popular coastal area but also fostered greater environmental awareness and responsibility among the local boating community.