Have you heard of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR)? It is an initiative aimed at promoting public awareness on sustainable resource use and waste management (reduction, reuse, reuse) at European level.  This year, it took place between 20 and 28 November and focused on circular societies.

In the framework of the 13th edition of the EWWR, the Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Environment – coordinator of the EWWR in Cyprus – organised on 23 November a conference & exhibition entitled "Be informed and join us in the circle".

The conference introduced the legal framework that will ensure the sorting at the source and the separate collection of municipal waste as well as the results of the study of measurement and recording of food waste. In addition, the actions of the National Circular Economy Plan were presented, namely the program of support of local authorities for the implementation of systems for source sorting and separate collection of municipal waste and Pay As you Throw, the program of prevention, separate collection and utilization of municipal waste in Cyprus, the program of reduction of municipal waste of beach hotels and other areas of mass production of waste and the financing of investments in the field of waste treatment.

Details on additional planned actions from the new Life Waste IP project were also given, such as the construction of repair and reuse centers, the creation of green recycling kiosks and the domestic composting of organic waste. Finally, the Life Food Print program was presented in which the Department of Environment participates as a partner, together with other related initiatives, such as the OEB initiative for the creation of the Cyprus Circular Economy Network and the CCCI / CIIM for the green entrepreneurship observatory.

In parallel to the conference, an exhibition took place to shed light on several actions related to the circular economy implemented by various actors in the country. Nicosia Development Agency was an exhibitor and promoted EURE. The people who visited the exhibition & event had the opportunity to learn more about the EURE project and its objectives, the Regional and Opinion Report as well as the Action Plan which is under development.

This successful event and exhibition were warmly welcomed and received the attention of national media. A photo gallery is available on the website of the Press and Information office of the Republic of Cyprus:  www.pio.gov.cy/en/gallery.html?galAlbum=3389

© Photo - Press and Information Office, Ministry of Interior, Republic of Cyprus