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GAINING ECONOMIC BENEFITS THROUGH REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
ARMRADIO.AM
20.04.2012 16:06
Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative
in Armenia, and Dr. Jatinder Cheema, USAID/Armenia Mission Director,
visited the town of Ararat on April 20 to tour the waste collecting
and recycling activities of USAID-UNDP plastic recycling program,
which recently installed 60 plastic waste bins in the town. Ms.
Gercheva and Dr. Cheema also launched the local public awareness
campaign that featured open lessons on environmental protection in
two central schools of Ararat.
In order to address Armenia's environmental challenges, USAID and UNDP
launched a joint initiative in March 2011 - the Collection and Reuse of
Plastic Refuse (CRPR) project - to improve the quality of potable water
sources in Armenia through the the collection and recycling of plastic
containers. The program also sought to spur private sector investment
in the recycling of plastic waste. As of December 2011, a total
of 600 special bins were installed in Vanadzor, Hrazdan, Alaverdi,
Sevan, Tsakhkadzor, Ararat, Charentsavan, and Dilijan, resulting in
the recycling of nearly 30 tons of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
waste. The project will install additional 300 bins in the towns of
Ararat, Artashat, Ashtarak, Ejmiatsin and Armavir by June 2012.
"One of the main objectives of this initiative is to create stimulating
conditions for Armenian private sector to invest in high level
recycling of PET waste. Proper management and recycling of this toxic
material is not only urgent from the environmental point of view,
but it also carries an essential potential for delivering currently
unrealized economic benefits," said Dafina Gercheva, UN RC/UNDP
Resident Representative.
During the initial phase of the project, UNDP provided special bins
for PET waste, balers, and compactors in the target communities for
separation of PET bottles and relevant plastic products immediately
at the first stage of the waste collection cycle. The project then
helped design and implement partnerships between the local authorities
responsible for solid waste management and private companies with
capacities to buy and recycle the PET waste. Intensive public awareness
campaign in the project areas was an important component to inform
the general population on the importance of separating the PET waste
into the special bins.
"Armenia has begun to develop new projects and strategies to
foster industrial growth, national competitiveness, and to address
environmental concerns with particular attention to municipal solid
waste. It is time when urgent action for improvement and modernization
is required to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly performance in the
future. This project will have direct impact on raising awareness of
the need to reduce pollution, will improve public health, and will
engage local communities in ensuring a cleaner and less polluted
environment," Dr. Cheema said.
Based on the results and proved interest and support of the authorities
and community residents, the project plans to expand to other towns
of Armenia, including Yerevan, where around 3,000 tons PET waste is
still thrown out to landfills each year.
From: A. Papazian
ARMRADIO.AM
20.04.2012 16:06
Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Resident Representative
in Armenia, and Dr. Jatinder Cheema, USAID/Armenia Mission Director,
visited the town of Ararat on April 20 to tour the waste collecting
and recycling activities of USAID-UNDP plastic recycling program,
which recently installed 60 plastic waste bins in the town. Ms.
Gercheva and Dr. Cheema also launched the local public awareness
campaign that featured open lessons on environmental protection in
two central schools of Ararat.
In order to address Armenia's environmental challenges, USAID and UNDP
launched a joint initiative in March 2011 - the Collection and Reuse of
Plastic Refuse (CRPR) project - to improve the quality of potable water
sources in Armenia through the the collection and recycling of plastic
containers. The program also sought to spur private sector investment
in the recycling of plastic waste. As of December 2011, a total
of 600 special bins were installed in Vanadzor, Hrazdan, Alaverdi,
Sevan, Tsakhkadzor, Ararat, Charentsavan, and Dilijan, resulting in
the recycling of nearly 30 tons of polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
waste. The project will install additional 300 bins in the towns of
Ararat, Artashat, Ashtarak, Ejmiatsin and Armavir by June 2012.
"One of the main objectives of this initiative is to create stimulating
conditions for Armenian private sector to invest in high level
recycling of PET waste. Proper management and recycling of this toxic
material is not only urgent from the environmental point of view,
but it also carries an essential potential for delivering currently
unrealized economic benefits," said Dafina Gercheva, UN RC/UNDP
Resident Representative.
During the initial phase of the project, UNDP provided special bins
for PET waste, balers, and compactors in the target communities for
separation of PET bottles and relevant plastic products immediately
at the first stage of the waste collection cycle. The project then
helped design and implement partnerships between the local authorities
responsible for solid waste management and private companies with
capacities to buy and recycle the PET waste. Intensive public awareness
campaign in the project areas was an important component to inform
the general population on the importance of separating the PET waste
into the special bins.
"Armenia has begun to develop new projects and strategies to
foster industrial growth, national competitiveness, and to address
environmental concerns with particular attention to municipal solid
waste. It is time when urgent action for improvement and modernization
is required to ensure sustainable and eco-friendly performance in the
future. This project will have direct impact on raising awareness of
the need to reduce pollution, will improve public health, and will
engage local communities in ensuring a cleaner and less polluted
environment," Dr. Cheema said.
Based on the results and proved interest and support of the authorities
and community residents, the project plans to expand to other towns
of Armenia, including Yerevan, where around 3,000 tons PET waste is
still thrown out to landfills each year.
From: A. Papazian