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Description
In Băile Tușnad is no awareness campaigns on selective waste collection and there is no centralized initiative on the reuse of bio-waste through composting and there isn’t any activity for the collection of used cooking oil. The proposed project will facilitate efficient and well-structured collaboration / communication between responsible authorities and civil society. We believe that the population, once involved in this project, becomes more open in changing its behavior towards environmental issues and local initiatives to combat climate change. We will involve and will benefit the target groups (locals, tourists, institutions, children) from the efficient composting methods, from a functional used cooking oil collection system and will benefit from an efficient awareness campaign regarding the selective waste collection in Băile Tușnad. For the sustainability of the project, we will develop with the involvement of the mayor’s office and locals a methodology / strategy for long-term used cooking oil collection and we will develop with the involvement of stakeholders a long-term strategy / methodology at city level on composting bio-waste from households / homes and public space which will contain proposals for selective collection of bio-waste at events organized in Băile Tușnad. We will have organizational development activities that can ensure efficient and continuous communication. The success of the activities will be ensured by the close collaboration with the partners: OG ACCENT, an association with a vast experience in the field and which provides professional assistance in the implementation of the project, and Băile Tușnad City Hall that has a major impact on local waste management.
Summary of project results
The basic problem is that in Baile Tusnad, a nationally and internationally renowned tourist town, there was no activity on the collection of used cooking oil, there were no awareness-raising campaigns on selective waste collection and there was no centralized initiative on the reuse of bio-waste through composting. Inadequate bio-waste management in the small town of Baile Tusnad contributes to climate change and air pollution and directly affects many ecosystems and species.
Within the project, two information campaigns were carried out to inform the local population about the selective collection of used cooking oil and the importance of composting biodegradable waste. The campaigns consisted of distributing brochures, thematic presentations in schools, open days, and presence with a thematic tent in different festivals. In addition to the two organized campaigns, there were meetings with the town hall of Baile Tusnad and stakeholders about the possibilities and implementation of selective waste collection focusing especially on biodegradable waste and used cooking oil collection. Raising awareness of the local population about climate change and the importance of separate waste collection was also helped by organising a workshop and two demonstration presentations. The activities were carried out in partnership with the municipality of Baile Tusnad and the ACCENT GeoEcological Organization.
The project included the establishment of a used cooking oil collection system in the town, resulting in the collection of approximately 600 litres of used cooking oil. The amount of oil collected demonstrates a growing trend. Additionally, a city-wide strategy was formulated, and 1000 brochures on used cooking oil collection were distributed at events held in the town and during project activities.
In connection with the composting initiative, a portion of the green bio waste from the town''s public areas was gathered in composting bins placed in designated locations. As a pilot system, wooden compost bins were installed in the park to place autumn green bio-waste. A fundamental strategy on composting was developed, with ongoing efforts required to expand it to include green bio waste collection from local residents.
Simultaneously, nearly 1500 individuals participated in various environmental education activities organized within the project.
As part of the organizational development aspect of the project, an internal communication procedure and a comprehensive external communication plan were devised along with the necessary communication tools.