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Description
Our observations show that in communes in which we operate, namely Tuszyn, Rzgów and Brójce (Łódzkie province), inhabitants have insufficient knowledge on perils related to environmental degradation caused by human activity. Most burning problems include litter scattered everywhere, black smoke from chimneys and high use of plastic carrier bags for groceries. Local authorities have already engaged in projects devoted to similar topics, but the above issues have not been solved.In our project we will attract inhabitants’ attention to the problem of littering their neighbourhoods and we will encourage them to do something for the environment. We will jointly organise ten eco patrols. Each will be provided with a starter kit including bags, litter stickers, reusable water bottles and reflective bands. They will collect litter from woods, meadows or public areas. The Foundation and foresters from public forests will collect it. Each patrol will document its work, and photos will be published in social media. Furthermore, in each commune we will hold eco workshops devoted to upcycling, less waste methods, and ways to planning one’s own eco projects. At the same time, we will measure the quality of air in various places in each of three communes every week, publishing the results on the project fanpage, so that inhabitants know the condition of air they breathe.
Summary of project results
Our observations showed that in communes in which we operate, namely Tuszyn, Rzgów and Brójce (Łódzkie province), inhabitants had insufficient knowledge on perils related to environmental degradation caused by human activity. Most burning problems included litter scattered everywhere, black smoke from chimneys and high use of plastic carrier bags for groceries. Local authorities had already engaged in projects devoted to similar topics, but the above issues had not been solved.
As part of our project, we drew the attention of residents to the problem of littering in their neighborhood and encouraged them to take action to protect the environment. We created ten eco-patrols together with residents. Everyone was given a starter pack, which included litter bags and poles, bidons and reflective wristbands. The participants collected litter from forests, meadows or public areas. The Foundation and foresters from the national forest took care of the litter collection. Each patrol documented its work and the photos were made public on social media. In addition, in each municipality, we held workshops on environmental and zero waste topics. At these, we told people how to produce less waste and how to plan their own environmental projects. At the same time, we carried out a weekly measurement of the state of the air at different locations in the three municipalities, and the results were published on the project''s fanpage so that residents knew what the state of the air they were breathing was. We also carried out four one-day trips, during which the participants were able to take part in environmental workshops, including on the important role played by bees. At the end, there was a meeting to sum up the project.
Thanks to the work of the eco-patrols, the amount of rubbish dumped in the three municipalities was reduced. A total of 100 bags of rubbish were collected. From the evaluation survey carried out before and after the workshop, we know that the level of knowledge of the participants regarding ecology has definitely increased.