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 November 20th and 28th 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 a Conference & Exhibition titled “Be informed and join us in the circle”, on November 23rd.

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 had the pleasure of participating as one of the exhibitors and we had the opportunity to promote our Interreg Europe Projects EURE and 2LIFES. Attendants had the opportunity to learn more about the projects’ objectives and activities, as well as receive informing on the Action Plans, which are under development.

Highlights of the Conference

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 programme 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 programme of prevention, separate collection and utilization of municipal waste in Cyprus,
• The programme 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 IP Waste 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.

Lastly, the LIFE – FOODPRINT project was presented. A project 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.

This successful event and exhibition were warmly welcomed and received the attention of national media. Click here to view the photo gallery.