Description
The project addresses the need to reduce the single-use plastic products and replace them with multiple-use products to reduce plastic pollution. The project aims at raising the public awareness about the benefits of multiple-use products, involving the public and the business in selling and buying multiple-use products. First, an interactive online platform will be set up with information about plastic pollution and outlets to buy multiple-use bags, bottles and boxes. Second, volunteers will be involved in campaigns in local supermarket chains to raise public awareness. Third, 5th to 7th-graders will be educated to be environmentally-friendly. Next, a short film about plastic pollution will be made. Finally, meetings with the business (supermarket chains, fast food restaurants, canteens and event organizers) will be held to supply and offer multiple-use products. The project will benefit the students, volunteers involved, the business and the community in general.
Summary of project results
The project aimed at reducing the excessive use of single-use plastic products in the daily life and referring users to alternatives of single-use plastic and its replacement with multiple-use food service containers. An online platform was set up with detailed information about plastic and waste reduction; at the core of the online platform is a map of places to eat where people can take their own food containers. A mug deposit system during festival was introduced (Beglika Festival); 10 initiatives took place in front of supermarkets involving volunteers and consulting shoppers; a short film called Save a Cup was created (
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sekD8BJ_sCQ); art activities were held with the pupils from 40th and 119th Secondary School; many meetings were arranged with traders and an event devoted to responsible trade was held and the project team managed to raise the awareness of the audience about the dangers of plastic. Many retail outlets joined the map and supported the initiative. The interesting presentation of the alternative ways at the events held helped many people take up to using their own food containers as they liked the SIPI.eu initiative. The project helped the SIPI.eu initiative become more popular and draw the public’s attention to plastic pollution. Thus a twofold impact can be achieved on both customers and retailers. The initiative continued to exist after the project end, new places to eat are added to the map and the team continued to disseminate the idea not only in Sofia but in other cities as well. SIPI.eu will continue to take part in events and spread during festivals the mug deposit system established under the project.
Summary of bilateral results