Description
Cans for Kids (C4K) will mentor Cyprus Green Action Group (CGAG) so that TOGETHER WE CAN recycle more used beverage cans (UBCs) for a cleaner Cyprus. This will save tons of UBCs from polluting landfills and reduce Cyprus’ carbon footprint: Recycling an aluminum can saves 96% of the energy used to make a new one. While the Turkish-Cypriot community recycles some materials, recycling UBCs is a new venture. Further, though the division of Cyprus is challenging, C4K can now offer CGAG seminars on -- and hands-on experience with – CFK’s activities for six months, to help CGAG create another UBC recycling scheme. Both C4K and CGAG’s volunteers share in a vision of care for our environment and life. CGAG helps to protect green and coastal areas while C4K recycles 8% of the UBCs in Cyprus. Proceeds from C4K’s recycling activities go to purchase medical equipment for the children’s wards of Makarios Hospital. This kick-start to recycling more UBCs across the entire island aims to reach 1000 more Cypriot households within a year. Partners will seek to collaborate with others in Cyprus and abroad about recycling and how TOGETHER WE CAN make a difference.
Summary of project results
The project was designed to mentor volunteers on how to begin recycling of used beverage cans, and the partner actually began recycling faster and with more diligence than was expected. For the most part, young volunteers with an understanding of environmental issues were able to effectively help gather support at all levels, from individual/family households to media contacts and leaders in the Turkish Cypriot community who provided moral and active support for the CAN KID (translated as Teneke Cocuk) idea and its implementation. Social media has enabled all volunteers to keep abreast of each others’ activities and this, too, has motivated volunteers to continue supporting the environmental efforts. Currently, CAN KID has created and placed 77 collection can banks in the Turkish Cypriot community. These are in the capital, Lefkosia (21), Guonyeli (4), Famagusta (16), Morphou (20), Kyrenia (12), Komikebir (3) and Karavas (1). Through meeting like-minded active volunteers in both communities and ‘working’ together, the project exceeded expectations. Cans for Kids was able to mentor and model best practices to members of the Cyprus Green Action Group on how recycling aluminum is environmentally significant, how to formulate print and media messages and how proceeds can help a philanthropic cause. Cyprus Green Action Group picked up the ball and has now begun a similar operation called CAN KID which has solid support in the community. Cans for Kids’ volunteers are pleased that recycling aluminum used beverage cans is now possible all over Cyprus.CAN KID continues to circulate its message to media outlets and the wider community to inform people about the benefits of recycling and how each household can pitch in. Across the divide, new forms of cooperation and collaboration are formed as related to shared environmental concerns.
Summary of bilateral results