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Description
The addressed problem refers to the increasing amount of non-degradable waste that is abandoned in the natural areas of Romania, failing to enter into an appropriate collection or recycling system. Plastic waste already breaks down into microplastics and enters into the food chain and even into the atmosphere causing serious harm to animals and humans (UNEP, National Geographic and the journal Environmental Science and Technology). In addition, Romania loses its (eco)tourism destination image, with economic and social repercussions at national and local level. This project has a local component through the use of three ecotourism destinations in Romania, represented by three local ecotourism associations: Tara Dornelor, Tara Hategului-Retezat and Zarnesti-Piatra Craiului, (being officially recognized by the Ministry of Economy / National Tourism Authority). The aim is to rise the civic involvement of various target groups (youth, tourists, owners of tourism services, public administrations) in order to change the behavior of the local population regarding the disposal of waste in the natural environment and finding solutions by the local public administrations. The project also develops a national campaign to raise awareness of this problem, addressed especially through tourists, which will end with a national advocacy component. This advocacy action is directed to the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of the Environment and the Parliament in order to identify and implement a set of measures that will lead to a permanent solution to this problem and it will create the premises for initiating the national plan to stop the plastic pollution. The beneficiaries of this project are the locals from the three destinations, the local public administrations, the network of ecotourism services at the destination level, and at national level the entire population of Romania, Romanian tourists, as well as the foreign tourists.
Summary of project results
The PET Romania project aimed to address the problem of non-degradable waste that is abandoned in natural areas in Romania, both at the level of 3 pilot destinations (Țara Dornelor, Țara Hațegului - Retezat and Zărnești - Piatra Craiului) and at national level.
At local level, there were carried out field activities consisting of mapping waste areas and cleaning up the litter. Through these activities the promotor and partners aimed to size up the problem and raise awareness. In addition, interviews with residents and mayors, took place in order to draw up participative action plans. The local campaign consisted of social media posts with mobilising or informative messages, best practice models, involvement of local vectors, presentations in high schools, and the creation of a video talking about solutions to the waste problem. The national campaign started with an ethnographic research that helped to understand the attitudes of litterers. Based on the research, a video that features Karma, which always punishes litterers was created and promoted on social media and ran on PRO and Prima channels. At the end of the project, a conference was organised as an opportunity to debate issues related to Romania''s positioning as a tourist destination in the context of the waste problem and the need for sustainable development. A letter addressed to the Romanian Government, asking for the formulation of an action plan to solve the litter problem in Romania, was signed by the participants at the conference. At the end of the national campaign, the video „Grădina Carpaților cu deșeuri din plastic”, highlighting the contrast between beautiful and dirty Romania, has been posted on social media.
At local and regional level, thanks to the information campaigns realised in the framework of the project, the targeted residents have become more aware of the problem of non-degradable waste pollution. Over 120,000 citizens have been informed. At national level, the letter addressed to the Romanian Government resulted in a proposal from the Government to form a working group to propose solutions to the waste problem and the need for sustainable development.