5R GREEN TECHNOLYMPICS - South Baltic Bridge
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5R GREEN TECHNOLYMPICS
CONTENT
GERMANY....................................12
LITHUANIA..................................20
POLAND......................................29
SWEDEN......................................43
DENMARK....................................59
3
Dear participants of the International
Green Technolympics!
We live in a time when the environment around us and the preservation
and conservation of its limited resources are essential. Not only we
observe that, but we also create the environment in which we want
to live harmoniously. Therefore, I welcome Your initiative and aspire
to participate in the International Green Technolympics, which will be
held in Klaipėda on January 8 - 9, 2020!
The theme is chosen for the International Green Technolympics –
„5R“ - Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, Replace and Refuse - are meaningful
Prof. dr. Arturas Razbadauskas words that must accompany us every day. Klaipeda University is a
Rector of Klaipeda University higher education institution, which aims to educate not only good
specialists in their fields but also honest and responsible citizens. I
believe that by educating the younger generation, we can change
the public perception of the good and contribute to a change in the
environment in which we live.
Today, one of the most important environmental problems - the
steady increase in consumption and its consequences - is evident:
increasing waste, pollution during production, the constant need for
resources and their increasing use. People are caught in a constant
circle of consumption where we use everything - even what we really
don't need. And only together can we change this situation!
We need to understand that Green Growth is not just about sounding
fashion words. It is the process upon which the quality of life of all
of us depends. By actively engaging in the implementation of Green
Growth, we not only create a friendly environment for ourselves
but also develop our professional competencies and expand our
knowledge base. And only with sufficient theoretical knowledge of
green growth and green technologies will we be able to put them
into practice and contribute to the environment that we all dream of.
By strengthening our green competencies, we not only create an
environment in which to live, but also create closer collaboration
between students, students and businesses in regions of interest to
the South Baltic Program.
Congratulations to all motyvated and ambitious participants of
the International Technolympics, which we welcome not only from
Lithuania, but also from Poland, Germany, Sweden and Denmark!
Thank You for answering to this meaningful green Technolympics
“5R” call!
Once again, I want to congratulate You on Your determination and
initiative, and wish You every success in creating a friendly environment
in which everyone lives! Stay civic, remain ambitious, and pursue Your
goal consistently - this is the only way we can change the prevailing
habits of society for the better.
This is how we all win and good luck to You!
SUSTAINABILITY
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is based on a simple principle: Sustainability is basically meeting the needs of
Everything that we need for our survival the current generation without compromising
and well-being depends on our natural the ability of future generations to meet its
environment. needs.
The planet’s ecosystems are deteriorating so To sustain is to create and maintain the
badly and the climate is changing too quickly, conditions, under which humans and nature
because we are consuming far too much. As can exist in productive harmony to support
a population we are already living far beyond present and future generations.
the earth’s capacity to support us- this is not
sustainable.
The 6 R’S of sustainability
If you find it hard to memorise all of the above, valuable resources.
then just think of the ‘6 R’s of Sustainability’.
REFUSE – this means not accepting things, that
The 6 Rs are an important checklist. They are are not the best option for the environment.
used by designers to reduce the environmental For example, is the packaging really needed?
impact of products. They can also be used to
evaluate the environmental impact of other RECYCLE – could recycled materials be used,
products. The 6Rs stand for: or is the product made from materials that are
easy to recycle?
RETHINK – is there a better way to solve
this problem, that is less damaging to the REUSE – could the product have another use?
environment? This R we keep very important Could its parts be used in other products? Is
and so further in this material it will be involved this information clearly communicated on the
in other 5Rs. product? This will extend its life.
REDUCE - is it possible to reduce the amount REPAIR – is the product easy to repair? This
of materials used? This will help to protect will extend its life.
6
SOME EXAMPLES FOR
THE 5 R’S OF SUSTAINABILITY
01. COMMUNE DIY
02. STANKEVICIUS ZILVINAS
01
03. IGNORANCE IS BLISS BY
AGNE KUCERENKAITE
0.4 INDI
02
03
04
7
SOME EXAMPLES FOR
THE 5 R’S OF SUSTAINABILITY
05 06
05. ZEFYRAS
07 08
06. SIMONA UVAROVAITE
07. RASA DESIGN
08. ZALIA ZINUTE
8
5 R’S of sustainability
RETHINK / REINVENT: Is there another use for this? Can this be
recycled? (Green Triangle Blog, 2012). These
consider and question consumption habits. It are just some of the basic questions that we
is ultimately up to us to really start thinking should consider every day. By investing more
about what we buy, why we buy it and how time in understanding personal consumption
we dispose of it. To make a difference, people habits, people will become increasingly self-
must make a conscious effort to do so. That aware of their effect on the environment. This
begins by questioning our actions. We must self-awareness may influence their behavior,
ask ourselves, do we really need these things? values and consumption habits.
9
5R is are dependent on the rethinking.
It is that moment of pause, that
hesitation to throw out something
that still has value; it’s the recognition
of that value, that creates change.
While it may take practice, as most
habits don’t develop overnight,
over time an individual’s conscious
efforts may become part of person‘s
character. Living a life, that supports
sustainable practices, may influence
others to do the same, as there are
many long-term benefits in doing so.
In order to reap the benefits though,
it takes the willingness to change for
the better.
10REFUSE: MAKE THE CHOICE
TO NOT GENERATE WASTE
The most direct method of reducing the amount
of trash is by refusing to consume. This does not
mean to stop generating trash altogether, but
rather to stop consuming particular products. A
person may decide not to buy certain items, that
generate more waste than benefits. For example,
a person may feel the need to buy apples every
time he goes to the store. However he may not
eat them and often they go to waste. Knowing
this, one may decide to quit purchasing apples,
which will result reduces the amount of waste
they produce.
Around the globe, piles of waste are swelling to
become gigantic mountain ranges. If concerted
action is not taken, humanity will be producing Precedence is given to the best option in light
11 million tonnes of waste per day in 2100. the of environmental considerations, although
growing mountains of waste exact a heavy toll ecological, technical, economic and social
not only in economic terms, but also on the consequences must also be analysed.
environment. In most emerging nations, the
infrastructure for waste disposal is inadequate The above waste hierarchy creates a
or simply non-existent. Unregulated storage, framework within which to identify distinct
illegal dumping and open-air incineration market segments in the lead market for waste
create significant environmental pollution and management and recycling. The services and
pose serious health risks. Contamination of the infrastructures subsumed under the market
soil, groundwater and surface water damages segments for waste collection, transportation
ecosystems. The inappropriate treatment and separation lay the foundation for waste
and dumping of waste also has have severe management and recycling. The market
repercussions for the climate. segment for material recovery comprises the
technology lines for mechanical recycling and
To keep the waste heaps from reaching to the feedstock recycling. Mechanical recycling refers
skies, waste management and recycling must to recycling processes in which the materials
be ramped up around the globe. Two aspects and their chemical structure are not altered.
are key: waste avoidance and the recovery of One example is the remelting of plastic waste to
reusable materials. By fostering the reuse of produce granulate. Feedstock recycling treats
waste, the lead market for waste management substances in a way that changes their chemical
and recycling has the potential to reduce inputs structure – deriving oils, waxes and gases from
of primary raw materials and the burden on the plastic waste, for example.
environment associated with their extraction.
The tremendous importance of waste avoidance One widespread form of energy recovery
and recycling is mirrored in the ideal of the full- is thermal waste treatment, which involves
cycle concept. This model of closed material incinerating waste and using the energy
cycles follows the principles seen in natural released by this process to supply heat and
ecosystems that produce no waste, instead generate power. The use of organic waste in
converting all materials into reusable resources. biogas plants is another variation on the same
theme. Waste that is not suitable for material
The guiding principles established for waste or energy recovery must be disposed of in an
management and recycling map out a five- environmentally friendly manner. The landfill
tiered waste hierarchy with the following priority technologies market segment brings together
order: those technology lines that serve this purpose.
11GERMANY
REFUSE IN GERMANY
We live in abundance: While about six Competence Field “Behavioral Economics and
generations ago personal property consisted Business Ethics” at the Institut der Deutschen
of just over one hundred things, today’s Wirtschaft in Cologne. Of course, one could
average German owns a total of around 10,000 call for a renunciation of consumption, as
objects in his home, attic, cellar and garage. on events like today’s “Kauf-Nix Day” (buy-
Many things we own get dusty unused and nothing day) and live it. But if everyone would
yet we can’t stop buying new things. Our live in such a minimalist way, then in some
society lives from consumption, or rather from countries it could be difficult with jobs and
the desire for more. But all this consumerism prosperity. Beyond this, not everyone wants
causes environmental problems. Everything and can do “refuse” in all areas of life; it is
we buy has to be produced, transported not about denying yourself all the pleasures.
and packaged. Thoughts about the required In addition, the way of refusing depends on
consumption of resources, CO2-emissions the personal life situation as well. It is certainly
and tragic exploitation of workers during different with children to change your lifestyle
the production process do the rest when and reduce the amount of waste you produce
one critically examines one’s own consumer than in a single household.
behaviour. The same does apply to everything
we want to get rid of later. It is just there, has So far, responsibility for a lifestyle that
to be disposed of, causes waste and burdens consumes fewer resources is still too often
the environment. “Enough with it”, say more seen as a purely personal decision. Politicians
and more contemporaries and tries to focus are also called upon to set the framework
on minimalism. But is less really more? for sustainable lifestyles so that our vision
of the future can become reality: An intact
But our “refuse” and “minimalism” can also environment, the preservation of biological
destroy jobs as well as economic growth. “I am diversity, low resource consumption and a
a follower of combining ethics and business,” high quality of life for people.
says Prof. Dr. Dominik Enste. He heads the
13WASTE MANAGEMENT POLICY IN preventing the creation of waste in the
GERMANY first place. When waste is created, it
gives priority to preparing it for re-use,
The German Closed Cycle Management Act recycling, another recovery (such as
(Kreislaufwirtschaftsgesetz, KrWG) is aimed to energy recovery) and disposal (landfill
turn the waste management into a resource after pre-treatment) in descending order of
management. The realisation that waste environmental preference. This waste hierarchy
can be a useful source of raw materials and has been transposed into German law.
energy is not new. Metals, glass and textiles
have been collected before and put to new A new obligation is included to draw up a
use. The waste management policy, which has national waste prevention programme (Article
been adapted in Germany over the past 20 33 KrWG). The programme formulates waste
years, is based on closed cycles and assigns prevention targets, presents and evaluates
disposal responsibilities to manufacturers existing waste prevention measures, and
and distributors of products. This has made develops new measures on this basis. The aim
people even more aware of the necessity to is to strengthen waste prevention policies and
separate waste, led to the introduction of make them more transparent to the general
new disposal technologies and increased public. The Federal Ministry of the Environment
recycling capacities. Today, 14 percent of the formulated a waste prevention programme for
raw materials used by the German industry are the first time in 2013.
recovered waste.
The German waste management system is
The Closed cycle management is not totally financed by fees. No subsidies! There
only a contribution to the environmental is a “polluter-pays” principle, means the
protection, it also pays off economically. The producer has to pay for waste treatment or
waste management industry has become an disposal. Various groups of main stakeholders
extensive and powerful economic sector in are working in waste management - municipal
Germany. Almost 200,000 people are employed and private waste management companies
in approximately 3,000 companies which (waste collection, recovery and disposal).
generate an annual turnover of approximately Municipal waste management companies are
40 billion euro. responsible for biowaste and domestic waste;
private waste management companies ae
Article 4 of the revised EU Waste Framework responsible for the waste recycling (domestic
Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) sets out five waste; trade waste, commercial waste).
steps for dealing with waste, ranked according
to the environmental impact – the waste
hierarchy.
The waste hierarchy gives top priority to
14WASTE PREVENTION – the best waste is the Germany stages its own series of
one that is not produced. events to mark the European Week
for Waste Reduction, promoting the
The amount of waste currently produced is still implementation of awareness-raising
too high. In particular in the field of municipal actions about sustainable resource and
waste, further efforts towards a resource highlighting what can be achieved through
efficient consumption are needed to prevent individual activities, ideas and commitment.
waste from arising. This years’ edition will take place from 16 to 24
In the interests of conserving resources, waste November 2019.
prevention aims to reduce both the volume of Waste management in Germany is characterised
waste and its pollutant content. To this end, in by a good development in the last 30 years,
2013, the German government and the Federal but some problems are still to solve and new
States (Bundesländer) launched a programme challenges are coming up. The prices for
of public-sector measures designed to waste treatment vary greatly. Overcapacities
reduce waste volumes. The Waste Prevention of waste-treatment plants lead to falling
Programme will be revised and updated in prices. It airses always problems in financing
2019. the collection and recycling of waste from the
There are also many other ways for producers yellow bin. These wastes are not funded by a
and consumers to reduce their waste: by waste fee. Still too many wastes are incinerated
focusing on durable, lean, repairable products; (thermal recycling) although material recycling
by avoiding unnecessary and short-lived items; would be ecologically beneficial.
by purchasing services rather than goods; and However, the German approach to plastic
last but not least by using rather than owning, bags is a good example for waste reduction.
for example. The message is that by acting Although Germany’s consumption of plastic
considerately, each and every one of us can do bags was already below the European average,
our bit to protect the environment. at around 72 bags per person, per year, the
Raising awareness and sensitising the voluntary introduction by retailers of a plastic
general public to effective waste prevention bag charge has reduced this further to around
is therefore crucial. Each year in November, 38 bags, proving that conscious behavior by
individuals can have a big impact.
15INTERESTING
GERMANY
If all Germans were to do without three billion coffee capsules were
“coffee to go”, 43,000 fewer trees consumed in Germany in 2014. That’s
would have to be felled each year. The around 5,000 tons of aluminum and
annual production of 2.8 billion cups in plastic waste that we could save.
Germany also consumes so much water
that all residents of Bavaria could have At many major events, most of the
a shower for about 10 minutes. rubbish is produced by disposable
crockery. Festivals like the “Tollwood
Coffee capsules are trendy, easy to use Festival” in Munich, where only reusable
and promoted by stars like George tableware is used, show that there is the
Clooney. But they are designed as an another way.
expensive disposable product. Almost
POLAND
A growing trend to resign from More and more popular trend of not
unnecessary plastic bags, nets and other using or refusing promotional gadgets
types of packaging when shopping. and gifts during conferences/events.
More and more shops allow you to pack
your products in your own packaging. Returning to the event organizers
lanyards and unused materials.
DENMARK
In a 2018 report compiled by the Danish is wasted - including good leather
Technological Institute, 33 percent furniture. The waste happens when
of the companies who were asked furniture is just thrown out and burned
answered that they are already using in the large ovens. But at AVV, during
recycled raw materials and materials, the project Well done (Godt Gjort) in
and at the same time have a strategic Denamrk discarded sofas are striped
focus on increasing their share in the for the good leather, it is treated and
coming years. 27 percent of companies washed, quality assured - and can
have ambitions to become part of the be supplied in meter dimensions for
circular economy, while 40 percent of new products: bags, cushions, aprons,
companies do not recycle materials - pillows and much more. The idea is
nor do they have ambitions to do so. simple, new and groundbreaking.
The Danes are quite good at delivering Danish Shark Solutions transforms
empty cans and bottles. In fact, 9 out of discarded car windows into industrial
10 packages sold return, and aluminum, raw material. Shark Solutions began at
plastic and glass are re-melted and used Holbaek in 2005, when the company
to make new cans and bottles. was founded based on an idea to avoid
sending laminated glass to the landfill.
Every year, tons of used furniture
16INTERESTING
SWEDEN
Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven chains have MILJÖ - Plastprogram för Skåne”,
started a campaign giving a discount Länsstyrelsen Skåne)
on takeaway coffee to customers that
bring their coffee mug. In Europe, where the organic food
market is growing by 5-7 per cent a year,
A lot of municipalities and public Sweden ranks at the top of the green
authorities has changed their shoppers list. A study by the European
procurement requirements in order to Commission found that 40 per cent of
remove unnecessary plastic products Swedes had purchased an eco-labelled
and replace them with products from item in the past month, which is more
non-fossil and renewable sources as often than the European average.
much as possible. (Source: “EN PLASTFRI
LITHUANIA
There is 453 kg of waste per capita in are offering alternatives of disposable
Lithuania. Since 2019 Lithuania is trying sugar cane plastic. Also, many online
to reduce the plastic waste by charging stores are offering metal straws as a
for the plastic bags in supermarkets as solution to the single use straw that is
well as promoting the usage of paper still being used.
bags. Companies like Maxima, the
retail giant is even offering the option Lithuanian tap water is among the
of getting your groceries delivered at cleanest in Europe, because 100% of it
home in a paper bag. Another way that is taken from abundant underground
Lithuanians are refusing the plastic bags sources sheltered from human
at shops is by using the textile bags that interference. This is an encouraging
are priced almost the same. fact to bring your own reusable bottle
and to refill it anywhere even in the
In Lithuania during the summer there public water fountains. If it happens to
are several festivals organized and buy a plastic bottle, refuse to throw it
many tourists come and spend time away and do like 92% of Lithuanians
by the sea. In order to discourage the that deposit their plastic bottles in the
use of single use cutlery the stores in disposing machines near any of the
Lithuania have stopped selling non shopping centers.
disposable cutlery sets and instead they
17REDUCE: MAKE DECISIONS THAT DECREASE
THE AMOUNT OF WASTE PRODUCED
To cut trash, simply consume less. It is the idea products with less packaging, they use less
that less is more. We can reduce the amount raw material. This reduces waste and costs.
of Reducing and Reusing Basics. These extra savings can be passed along to
the consumer. Buying in bulk, for example,
The most effective way to reduce waste is to can reduce packaging and save money.
not create it in the first place. Making a new
product requires a lot of materials and energy • Buy reusable over disposable items.
- raw materials must be extracted from the Look for items that can be reused; the little
earth, and the product must be fabricated things can add up. For example, you can bring
then transported to wherever it will be sold. your own silverware and cup to work, rather
As a result, reduction and reuse are the most than using disposable items.
effective ways you can save natural resources,
protect the environment and save money. • Maintain and repair products, like
clothing, tires and appliances, so that they
BENEFITS OF REDUCING AND REUSING won’t have to be thrown out and replaced as
frequently.
• Prevents pollution caused by reducing
the need to harvest new raw materials • Borrow, rent or share items that are
used infrequently, like party decorations, tools
• Saves energy or furniture.
• Reduces greenhouse gas emissions • One person’s trash is another person’s
that contribute to global climate change treasure. Instead of discarding unwanted
• Helps sustain the environment for appliances, tools or clothes, try selling or
future generations donating them. Not only will you be reducing
waste, you’ll be helping others. Local churches,
• Saves money community centers, thrift stores, schools and
• Reduces the amount of waste that will nonprofit organizations may accept a variety
need to be recycled or sent to landfills and of donated items, including used books,
incinerators working electronics and unneeded furniture.
• Allows products to be used to their Benefits of Donation
fullest extent • Prevents usable goods from going into
Ideas on How to Reduce and Reuse landfills
• Buy used. You can find everything from • Helps your community and those in
clothes to building materials at specialized need
reuse centers and consignment shops. Often, • Tax benefits may be available
used items are less expensive and just as good
as new.
• Look for products that use less
packaging. When manufacturers make their
18Repair saves money. It saves the environment. FRAMEWORK DIRECTIVE:
And it connects us to our things.
The term recycling specified in waste specific
Repair jobs can’t be outsourced—who would Directives does in particular not include
ship a washing machine from Chicago to backfilling operations.
Shanghai for repairs?
Reuse as defined in the Packaging Directive
These jobs are skilled, well paid, and continually 94/62/EC and the WEEE Directive 19/2012 of
in demand. Our stuff is here! That stuff will the European Parliament and of the Council of
eventually break, and we will always need 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic
people to fix it. equipment (WEEE) comprises specifications
the Waste Framework Directive does not
Reuse of waste means any operation by which include.
products or components that are not waste
are used again for the same purpose for which Recycling of waste is defined as any recovery
they were conceived. operation by which waste materials are
reprocessed into products, materials or
The differentiation between the terms reuse, substances whether for the original or other
recycling and recovery is important for the purposes.
understanding and application of the targets
stated in EU waste legislation. It includes the reprocessing of organic material
but does not include energy recovery and the
Definitions for recycling and reuse in waste reprocessing into materials that are to be used
specific Directives partially deviate from as fuels or for backfilling operations.
the corresponding definitions of the Waste.
19LITHUANIA
Lithuanian manufacturers proposed innovative development; In the area of ‘smart
fabrics – enriched with coffee grounds, economy’, environmental objectives
seaweed, or mint. Innovation in the textile include fostering an environmentally
industry is essential to create competitive and friendly business culture, fostering the
exclusive products for foreign markets. Our development of a green economy,
country’s companies are focused on future increasing incentives for business to invest
textile trends: eco-friendly, smart materials and in green technologies, goods and services,
functionality. The most promising sustainable advanced technologies and products that
fashion innovation of 2019 award won Trash save resources and reduce environmental
and Culture (by Dmitry Makoveev), who and climate change; it is assumed to take care
introduced the concept of slow fashion. on stability and biodiversity conservation in
industrial, energy, and transport sectors, as
The long-term environmental goals are well as the effects on whole ecosystem.
identified in the field of smart society,
approved by the Lithuanian Progress Strategy In the area of ‘smart management’, there are
Lithuania 2030 (hereinafter referred to as the no specific objectives for the environment, but
Strategy) which was assigned in 2012, include common objectives for a strategically capable
the aspirations of raising public ecological government that responds to the needs of
awareness, sustainable consumption and society.
promotion of responsible attitude to economic
21In the National Implementation Plan 2014- THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL
2020, The National Program for Progress STRATEGY HAS THE FOLLOWING MAIN
(NDP) formulates a priority “Public Education, OBJECTIVES:
Science and Culture” with the overall objective • Ensure the long-term rational
“to encourage every citizen to realize his or and sustainable use of, and protection of,
her potential through learning, development, national natural resources of importance
research, purposeful responsibility for to the functioning of the State and, where
himself, the state and the environment” appropriate, the expansion, creating conditions
environmental objectives - to promote health for sustainable economic development;
and the environment; Priority “Environment
for growth” has the general objective of • To reduce the amount of waste generated,
“creating an environment conducive to growth ensure the safe management of waste for human
and competitiveness” and two more specific health and the environment and the rational use
environmental objectives: to create favorable of material and energy resources of waste;
conditions for entrepreneurship and sustainable • Ensure that groundwater, surface water
business development and to promote bodies, the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea
sustainable use of resources and ensure are in good condition, that surface water bodies
ecosystem stability. are suitable for recreational purposes and that all
residents of the country receive drinking water
2017 The Plan of Implementation of the 17th that meets safety and quality requirements;
Government Program approved the more
detailed environmental objectives: to ensure • Protect and conserve soil;
the quality of environment suitable for all life • To ensure that the emission of pollutants
forms, to improve the status of water bodies, to into the ambient air in Lithuania does not exceed
improve efficiency of drinking water supply and the amount specified in international and EU
wastewater management, to reduce air pollution legal acts, the concentration of air pollutants
and climate change; ecosystem services; and in the ambient air does not exceed the levels
raising public awareness of the environment. of ambient air pollution that are not harmful to
human health and the environment;
In addition to the country-wide strategic
documents, environmental objectives are also • To achieve a good environmental
addressed in sectoral medium-term strategies, radiological status in Lithuania;
the most important of which are the National • To protect the public from the harmful
Environmental Strategy and the National effects of environmental noise;
Strategy for Climate Change Management. • Reduce the use of hazardous chemicals
The National Environmental Strategy is designed and mixtures and their adverse effects on human
to set priority environmental policies, long-term health and the environment;
goals for 2030 and the vision of Lithuania’s • To achieve good quality of the urban
environment by 2050. The Strategy states environment while ensuring the harmonious
that the primary objective of environmental development of the territory of the country and
policy is to achieve a healthy, clean, and safe favorable conditions for the social and economic
environment in Lithuania that is in harmony development of the urbanized territories;
with the needs of society, the environment, and • To preserve landscapes and their
the economy. The strategy covers four priority geoecological potential at different territorial
areas of environmental policy: the sustainable levels;
use of natural resources and waste, improving • Halt the loss of biodiversity and the
the quality of the environment, preserving the degradation of ecosystems and the services
stability of ecosystems, and mitigating and they provide, wherever possible;
adapting to climate change. The latter policy area • Ensure the safe conduct of activities that
is set out in a separate document - the National generate, process, use, transfer and release
Strategy for Climate Change Management. living modified organisms that may adversely
affect the conservation and sustainable use of
biological diversity.
22Already in Lithuania we have excellent Domino Colors - unique furniture and
examples, which are known not only in our interiors are made using recycled wood
country but also abroad, which use only from old, reconstructed buildings. LeaF
secondary raw materials in their production, - the makers of eco-friendly handbags -
creation and activity, and the works produced their products are reborn from worn over
from them do not go down to new ones. This coats, worn-out skirts or forgotten accessories
is Zilvinas Stankevicius, an artist who makes in cabinets, and become pieces in stylish bags,
eye-catching paper kaleidoscopes, all of which handbags, backpacks or cosmetics.
are made of recycled materials, and the INDI
design studio is known not only in Lithuania, Currently, 65 companies are engaged in
but also to reclaim recycled paper lamps for recycling in Lithuania. They recycle glass,
foreigners. Another good example of this paper and cardboard, plastic, PET, metal, wood
culture is Simon Sonkin and his workshop and composite packaging. Part of recycled
"Commune DIY", where second-hand, broken materials, e.g. glass, plastic, or paper, is used to
skateboard wood brings to life a variety of make new products: glass bottles, bags, tubes,
pleasant little things - phone cases, business paper packaging, furniture fibers, etc. The rest
gifts, car accessories or Christmas tree toys. is exported to other countries.
23INTERESTING
LITHUANIA
75% of Lithuanians care about using to use clean energy and reduce the
eco-friendly products. That is why local consumption fossil fuels and impact the
brands such as Margarita, Mano and environment.
many others are promoting products
made from only natural products that Non-biodegradable chemical products
do not cause as much damage to the used generously in everyday life, have a
environment. tremendous impact in the environment.
Buying EU-Ecolabel products that
The Lithuanian government plans to do not contain harming ingredients
allocate 4.5 million euros in financial nor non recycable packaging is a way
support to residents who have installed that lithuanians can reduce chemichal
small solar power plants. This is a pollution in water and air.
great incentive to encourage people
SWEDEN
Sweden has made a lot of effort in starting to cell package-free goods.
digitalization of public authorities and For example, Matkooperativet in
municipalities. This made possible to Helsingborg is selling a dozen of
significantly reduce the usage of paper products, such as vegetables and fruits,
in their business activities. For example, spices, oil, vinegar, detergents, etc.
“Digital postbox” is a free service package free.
which enables citizens to receive all
important documents and letters from Järnhandel is a store in Malmö that
the government and some business (ex. rents out tools for free, so people don’t
banks) digitally. have to buy tools that they will use just
a few times.
More and more grocery stores are
POLAND
The sharing economy market is growing Myzbieramy.pl is the portal connecting
rapidly in Poland. There are more and farmers and fruit growers with those
more companies using this idea in many who want to pick fruits and vegetables
different ways like: for yourself. Farmers and fruit growers
have to do is designate a section of
• couchsurfing, the field, an orchard, where guests will
• co-working, collect fruit and vegetables, and set the
• car rental companies, weight at the exit and charge fees there.
• exchanging objects, Prices for vegetables, fruits can be
• renting parking spaces, offered higher than those at collection
points, and lower than store prices -
• care of animals in the absence of
both sides gain.
owners,
• doing small jobs, Two Polish students created an App
• pick-up service, Nextplease for free book exchange.
They call it a book secondhand. You
• bicycle rentals,
can place your offers in it, and browse
• currency exchange, through the suggestions of other users.
• ordering dinners together.
24INTERESTING
DENMARK
Denmark was the first country to impose everything from washing machines to
a tax on the plastic bags in 1993 in order mobile phones. This is done by describing
to reduce the number of plastic bags. what is wrong with the product, and
Today, the Danes use fewer plastic bags registered repairers can then offer what
than the EU target for 2019, namely 79 they need to repair the damage.
per capita per year. The customer chooses which offer is
43.4 percent of Denmark’s electricity the best. For example, based on price,
consumption was supplied by wind distance to the repairman, etc. If the
turbines, which is not only a new Danish repair is unsuccessful, the customer
record, but also a world record. It is the do not have to pay, but if it works, the
ninth time in ten years that Danish wind customer pays the repairer through the
turbines set a record. A wind turbine of Make it Good Again platform, which then
20 turbines will produce approximately takes 15 percent of the amount in the
5,200,000 MWh for 20 years, and at the mediation fee.
same time save the environment for In the first half of 2019, electric cars and
4,500,000 tons of CO2. This corresponds charging hybrid cars accounted for 3.2
to the amount of CO2 absorbed by a percent of total car sales and are thus
forest of 160 km2 over a similar period. slightly higher than electric car sales in
Every year around the world large the latter half of 2015, with electric cars
quantities of electronics and other and charging hybrid cars accounting for
products are thrown out every year 3.1 percent of car sales.
because the products are broken. In In 2009, Holbæk Municipality entered
many cases, it is even a deliberate into a climate municipality agreement
strategy on the part of the manufacturer with the Danish Nature Conservation
for the product to break shortly after Association. Holbæk Municipality thus
the expiration of the warranty, so that committed to reducing its CO2 emissions
the customer must buy a new product. by 3% per year. The last agreement
This so-called planned obsolescence expired at the end of 2018. In the nine
is due to much unnecessary resource years that have passed, the municipality
consumption. has reduced its CO2 emissions by just
The new Danish company Make it Good over 13% compared to the agreed (9,988
Again is an online marketplace where tonnes in 2018 instead of 11,437 tonnes,
people offer and demand help to repair which was the target of the agreement) .
GERMANY
Every year, about 18.4 million tons of Internet trading in Germany is booming.
food waste are collected in Germany. The The result: more and more packaging
harvest of an area about the size of Sicily waste. In 2013, the volume of total
is thrown away unused. packaging waste rose to 17.1 million
Every German consumes around 787 tons. Internet trading accounts for a large
bottles of shampoo in his life. If you proportion of this.
stacked them on top of each other, you On average, 617 kg of waste per capita
would have a tower about the height of are thrown away in Germany every year.
the pyramid of Cheops. This corresponds For comparison, this corresponds to the
to an estimated plastic waste of 20 to 25 weight of a horse or the heart of a blue
kilograms per capita, which could easily whale.
be avoided.
25RE-USE/REPAIR: EXPAND THE
SHELF-LIVES OF PRODUCTS
By reusing what you already have or by WHY IS REUSE IMPORTANT?
reinventing new uses for the item, you can
extend the item’s product life. Before rushing Reuse confronts the same problems than
out to the store to buy an item make the reduce: There is too much waste being
decision to buy as a last recourse. For example, produced in the European Union! By extending
we can use pickle jars for storage rather than the lifespan of products, preparing for reuse
buying a brand new container. It’s the idea of and reuse are influential measures to reduce
being creative with the things you have, to the amount of waste produced. Reuse has a
extend the life of a product. strong value for sustainable development
because it not only promotes environmental
If I no longer have a use for the item I can give protection through waste prevention but also
away the item instead of throwing it away. I contributes to social aims and has economic
can donate unwanted equipment, furniture, benefits.
supplies, clothes to a nonprofit organization,
schools, a shelter or charity. Also, I may able to ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS OF REUSE:
reclaim some of the value of my items through • Reduction of the amount of waste,
consignment stores or pawn shops. If there is including hazardous waste
no other use for the product, then recycle.
• Pollution prevention
Reuse means recovering and reusing products
or their components. It includes both preparing • Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,
for reuse and reuse. which contribute to global climate change
Preparing for reuse refers to checking, cleaning • Decreased strain on natural resources
or repairing recovery operations, by which (raw materials, fuel, forests, water)
products or their components that would have • Preservation of the “embodied energy”
become waste are prepared in a way so that that was originally used to manufacture an
they will be reused without any other pre- item
processing.
• Social benefits of reuse:
Reuse means any operation by which products
or components that are not waste are used • Fight against poverty by providing
again for the same purpose for which they affordable products to low income households
were conceived.
• Social inclusion by bringing
Reusing items decreases the use of material disadvantaged people back in the labour
and energy resources and reduces pollution market and society
and natural capital degradation. Recycling
• Job creation in collection, sorting,
does so too, but to a lesser degree.
testing, refurbishment and reselling of items
Reusing products is thus the second best reused
option in waste management, after reducing!
• Training opportunities in fields such
as driving commercial vehicles, carpentry,
electrical engineering, marketing, or even
handicraft and art.
26ECONOMIC BENEFITS OF REUSE electrical skills, office and IT skills. Training
is usually offered to individuals that have
Monetary savings (customer: in purchases and been long term unemployed, on probation
disposal, state: less social costs through job or disabled, thereby enabling them to gain
creation and training) valuable work and social skills. Providing these
Savings in energy, materials and chemicals opportunities can often attract support funding,
embodied in the appliance although additional income will be needed to
cover all overheads. Once training placements
Buying re-used items like sofas and TVs rather have been completed, approximately one third
than buying new items is saving UK households go onto paid employment. According to the
around £1 billion a year and helping to create FRN, the sector provides training for over 8,000
jobs - but this is just a fraction of the potential trainees.Volunteering opportunitiesReuse
shown by ground breaking new research from organisations often rely on time and
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) commitment from volunteers, which may
which will be launched tomorrow. One million be recruited through referral and welfare
sofas which the current owner has finished agencies (e.g. social care organisations). As
with are re-used in the UK every year, saving well as providing volunteer opportunities for
households over £320 million – but this is just disadvantaged individuals, volunteers can
17% of the total number of sofas discarded come from other walks of life, for example,
each year. The environmental benefits of retired workers. Volunteers often benefit from
re-using one tonne of sofas are the same as improved self-esteem as well as a sense of
recycling one tonne of plastics. contributing to a worthwhile cause. According
Social, environmentaland economicbenefits of to the FRN, the sector supports over 10,000
reuse and recyclingThe FRN “Win Win” report volunteers.
(2007) states that reuse can play an important Community involvement Social enterprises
role in meetingobjectives around social and often have strong ties to local communities,
financial inclusion, sustainable communities, which may result in greater involvement of
reducing carbon emissions and the use of natural those communities. Linked to the provision
resources. It has direct linkages to a number of training and volunteer opportunities,
of current government policies and initiatives reuse projects can play an important role in
as discussed below. SocialbenefitsSocial community cohesion, by giving residents the
benefits are the primary driver for many third opportunity to become involved as volunteers
sector organisations. The principal benefits are or employees in a worthwhile community
employment for disadvantaged workers and service.
provision of low cost, or free, household goods
to low income families. The FRN estimates Provision of goods to low income families. This
that reuse charities have helped 750,000 low- guidance has mentioned that one of the main
income households, and they suggest that benefits of involving reuse organisations in
demand from such households is greater bulky waste service provision is that items can
than the present capacity of third sector reuse be sold or given to low-income families and
organisations. The sector contributes to a individuals. While the cost of many items has
number ofobjectives3including: the creation reduced considerably, bulky items can still be
of socially inclusive wealth; the regeneration of very costly. Low income families often rely on
local neighbourhoods; the development of new „sub-prime‟ credit shops with high APRs and a
ways to deliver public services; employment mark-up on retail prices to purchase consumer
and training; and provision of basic items (bed, goods, such as washing machines, televisions,
fridge, cooker) for the socially excluded. and large household furnishings. This means
that the cost of the item canmore than double
Training opportunitiesFurniture reuse for those on a low income. By comparison,
organisations provide a number of training many better off families have a range of means
opportunities, which can include retail, of paying for these items –including upfront,
warehousing, furniture restoration, upholstery, with a credit card, or hire purchase5.
27Impact on residents by delivering a service of nearly 11%. Social enterprises working in the
that maximises reuse and recycling of bulky field of reuse provide opportunities for those
waste, local authorities can also provide a distanced from the labour market to gain key
better service to residents but this will need to skills such as driving commercial vehicles,
be carefully communicated. carpentry, electrical engineering or marketing.
Some even embark on intricate trash design or
Economic benefits. There are economic eco-fashion activities 8. Regarding economic
benefits to local authorities, communities and benefits, itcosts France 20,000 EUR to support
individuals as a result of increased reuse and an unemployed person. By funding integration
recycling. For a local authority these benefits contracts in the field of textile collection, reuse
are: reduced costs of, and LATS liabilities and recycling, the state only pays half this and
for, disposal; potential sales income to ends up saving 2 Euros for every Euro spent.
contribute to collection costs; reduced costs At the same time it improves the skill set of
for services delivered by social service and its workers and boosts green jobs. In the UK,
housing departments by providing practical WRAP estimated that reuse of a selection of
social benefits in the community; and greater waste streams brings benefits of £720 Million
efficiencies from cross department working, of savings to the economy. Concerning job
such as funding reuse activities through potential, UNIDO and Microsoft found that
more than one department, splitting the cost computer reusecreates 296 jobs for every
between waste and other departments. 10,000 tons of material disposed of each year.
These can be achieved by: promoting reuse In addition, Irish enterprise Rehab Recycle,
activities not carried out by the council, such calculated that between 2010, business to
as the use of online exchange websites or business IT reuse generated 10 times more
charity shops; contracting a more efficient jobs than the equivalent tonne of recycled
collection service with an organisation that materials. The Illinois Department of Commerce
can, potentially, add value and provide a and Economic Opportunity estimate also that
better service at a lower cost; and maximising for every 1,000 tonnes of electronics, 15 jobs
reuse and recycling to generate income from can be made in recycling whilst up to 200 jobs
the sale of goods or materials.There are also exist if refurbished and repaired.
economic benefits through strengthening the Reuse Alliance represents over one hundred
local economy, which can help to alleviate reuse organizations that employ 250,000
poverty, promote financial inclusion, and people. Our community diverts 9.1 million
sustain tenancies of those currently housed. pounds of waste from landfills every day.
Social–economic benefits of reuse. Reuse NATIONAL REUSE DAY
is labour intensive as it involves collection,
sorting, testing, refurbishment and reselling October 20th has been recognized by many
which is important considering the EU is cities as National Reuse Day – a day to celebrate
experiencing an average unemployment rate reuse as a central tenet of sustainability.
2829
POLAND
RE-USE/REPAIR IN POLAND
Some products, even those sold and designed moment and instead of buying new ones,
to be disposable, can be reused without too you’ll refresh the ones you liked so much.
much processing. This reduces the need to
buy more products, which means less waste. The problem of electro-waste disposal and
Moreover, this principle reminds us that it is the waste of working laptops is more and
possible to reuse already used objects in a more often addressed by companies dealing
different, creative way, which extends their life with electronic renewal (REFURBISHING).
and builds a culture of producing less waste, Thanks to their actions, equipment has a
even those that can be upcycled and recycled chance to gain a new life, instead of going to
- it must be remembered that every recycling landfill prematurely. Both the sale and purchase
process requires energy and there are losses of refurbished post-leasing laptops allow to
in it. take care of the environment. When a device
is reused, the Earth does not lose resources
The REUSE rule focuses on extending the life used in the production of new electronics and
of the product. is not polluted with new waste. It should be
remembered that by purchasing refurbished
WHAT EXACTLY CAN WE DO? post-leasing computers, you can gain a device
If things break, repair them or have them that complies with current technological
repaired. Upcycle items you would otherwise standards and at the same time reduce your
throw away. Buy second hand and give back carbon footprint, i.e. the total amount of
things you don’t need anymore. Remember: greenhouse gas emissions caused directly or
some things you don’t have to actually own, indirectly by a given person. Buying post-
it’s enough to have a possibility to borrow (i.e. leasing laptops - proven, refreshed and ready
movies, music, books, tools, or even cars or for re-use - doesn’t mean buying obsolete
office space). equipment. Most devices are high-end
computers with a business background, much
REPAIR! more efficient than many of the new models
One of the most important principles of Zero on their price list. Interestingly, often renewed
Waste is to repair. During the year we buy so electronics turn out to be less reliable than
many things that we don’t have enough space a completely new product. Although it may
for them - in the kitchen, wardrobes, bathroom, seem strange, the explanation for this is quite
desk... We explain ourselves by the lack of time simple. A brand new product goes through all
to repair, and in fact often we can’t simply stop the standard quality checks once, while a post-
buying new clothes or equipment. leasing laptop goes through all the standard
checks twice. This makes it possible for the
Best practices: customer to get reliable, cheaper and, what’s
more, to opt for the Zero Waste idea.
Older furniture that has lost its appearance
can once again amaze you if you just take a
31WoshWosh is the first company in Europe and ZEROBAN - a young, polish, well-
Poland that deals with professional shoe care developing company that uses old
advertises. Instead of buying a new pair of advertising banners to produce toilet
shoes. Renew your old, beloved shoes. You will bags, backpacks and pencil cases. They
save not only your money but also our planet! sew gadgets for conferences and business
events. Check what they’re doing: https://
Repair Cafés are free meeting places and www.nieladafundacja.org/shop.
they’re all about repairing things (together).
In the place where a Repair Café is located, BUY SECONDHAND!
you’ll find tools and materials to help you
make any repairs you need. On clothes, We’re addicted to fast fashion. In shopping
furniture, electrical appliances, bicycles, malls, in city centres, on the main shopping
crockery, appliances, toys, et cetera. You’ll also streets - cheap chain stores. At home - equally
find expert volunteers, with repair skills in all cheap online shops and a wardrobe in which
kinds of fields. The Repair Café was initiated not everything is necessary. We don’t usually
by Martine Postma. Since 2007, she has been know what it costs the environment: the
striving for sustainability at a local level in clothing industry is the second largest in
many ways. Martine organised the very first the world in terms of pollution, after the oil
Repair Café in Amsterdam, on October 18, industry. The data provided by Eurostat show
2009. Check if you can find the Cafe in your that in the European Union it is spent on
city: clothes of approx. EUR 400 billion per year, of
which EUR 800 per person.
UPCYCLE!
According to ‘The Guardian’, the market for
Is a giving a second life to unnecessary objects second-hand, clothes can, within a decade,
in such a way as to create a new product surpass the fast fashion if we are more aware
of a higher value than the base object. It is of how the production of cheap clothes affects
the effect that distinguishes this trend from our environment. And it does not only affect
recycling, where the aim is to recycle the our environment through CO2 emissions. The
material as cheaply as possible so that it use of toxic chemicals, the increasing amount
can be reused. Examples? Pallet, barrel and of textile waste and the enormous water
tarpaulin furniture, tire dog pens, shelves for consumption also play an important role. This
fruit box books, bottle vase... Upcycling is includes road and sea transport and the use of
mainly used in the decoration, furniture and non-organic fabrics (polyester is a petroleum
fashion industries. product; leather comes from industrial animal
husbandry).
BEST PRACTICES:
32BEST PRACTICES: Network: https://www.freecycle.org.
ReTuna Återbruksgalleria is the world’s first When cleaning your wardrobe you do
recycling mall, revolutionizing shopping in a not know what to do with unnecessary
climate-smart way. Old items are given new life clothes? First of all, don’t throw anything
through repair and upcycling. Everything sold away. Your clothes and shoes can help those
is recycled or reused or has been organically or in need.
sustainably produced.
BEST PRACTICES:
The mall opened its doors in August 2015 and is
located next to the Retuna Återvinningscentral It is estimated that the Polish market of textile
recycling center at Folkestaleden 7 in Eskilstuna. waste is about 2 million tonnes annually. An
It is easy for visitors to sort materials they are average Pole throws away about 30 kg of
discarding into the containers and then drop unnecessary clothes every year, which could
off reusable toys, furniture, clothes, decorative be used by another person. This problem was
items, and electronic devices in the mall’s noticed by the creators of the first in Poland
depot, called “Returen”. In the depot, staff fundraising portal ubraniadooddania.pl. What
from AMA (Eskilstuna Municipality’s resource is it all about? Anyone who has unnecessary
unit for activity, motivation and work) perform clothes can pack them in a garbage bag and
an initial culling of what is usable and what write about it on the platform. The courier
is not. The items are then distributed to the will collect the bags free of charge at the
recycling shops in the mall. The shop staff then chosen place and time. At the same time,
perform a second culling, where they choose you should indicate the organization you
what they want to repair, fix up, convert, refine want to support with your actions. For each
– and ultimately sell. In this way, the materials kilogram of unnecessary clothes, the indicated
are given new life. organization will receive 1 zloty. Where does
this money come from? The collected clothes
FREECYCLE! are sold to specialized companies. Thanks
to this, the clothes go to new owners or are
Give things that you do not want to other processed in an ecological way, instead of
people to use instead of throwing them going to a landfill.It is estimated that the
away, especially when this is arranged using Polish market of textile waste is about 2 million
the internet. Freecycle is run by volunteers tonnes annually. An average Pole throws away
and day-to-day decision making is made by about 30 kg of unnecessary clothes every year,
grassroots local groups, encouraging local which could be used by another person.
members to use their group sensibly and
safely. Each group is run by local Moderators
who check messages and help members.
These are volunteers who give up time to help
run groups - they’re not paid. Join a Freecycle
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