OVER 186 TONS OF WASTE COLLECTED DURING GENERALKA WEEKEND, ORGANIZED BY PIVARA SKOPJE, MEN AND MOUNTAIN, PAKOMAK AND CITY OF SKOPJE
Record 186 tons of waste were collected by the participants in the largest clean-up action in the country so far – Generalka Weekend 2002, organized by Men and Mountain, together with Pivara Skopje, Pakomak, and the Mayor of the City of Skopje, Danela Arsovska, supported by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy. The eco-action was implemented from 6th to 8th May in 26 municipalities throughout the country and 8,000 volunteers took part, which is 8 times more than last year, which also makes it one of the most massive ecological actions which has ever been realized in our country. According to the results, each volunteer collected 23 kilograms.
“Primarily, this eco-action helps our efforts to build our country as a place without waste, which is completely in accordance to our global initiative – World Without Waste. Equally important, on the basis of the great results accomplished last weekend, an opportunity opens for us to contribute to forestation and support our efforts for decreasing carbon emissions, which is in line with our global goal to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2040. The second significant achievement is the large number of volunteers who decided to dedicate their time and personally contribute to this initiative. On Pivara Skopje’s behalf I would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts. You are true ambassadors for creating a culture of sustainable behaviour”, stated Pivara Skopje’s General Manager, Goran Sladic, emphasizing that based on the achieved results, Generalka Weekend 2022 had exceeded all expectations.
Congratulating the action organizers for the success, the Minister for Environment and Physical Planning, Naser Nuredini, at today’s promotion of the action’s results emphasized that successful establishment of a sustainable waste management system as an imperative in environment protection has to be followed by proper habits and level of public awareness regarding waste management.
“The action demonstrates the importance of all stakeholders in the waste management process and has a twofold role – awareness for proper disposal is raised, positive selection habits are developed and the need for maintaining clean environment is established. But, also, with transformation of a specific quantity of the collected waste in tree plantations that will be planted in selected locations, waste is turned into a green forest or a park, which is a visible benefit for all. This is an excellent example how with innovative approach, creativity and will to recycle waste from the past, a green future can be built”, highlighted the Minster of Environment and Physical Planning, Naser Nuredini.
The entire infrastructure necessary for collection, selection and proper treatment of the waste was provided by Pakomak.
“Pakomak always supports actions for collection of waste from public spaces. From our experience so far, 90% of those who had participated in such actions, collecting irresponsibly thrown waste by our fellow citizens, never again throw trash outside of garbage bins or containers. What’s more, they become promoters of clean nature and environment. With the action organized last weekend, the country gained promoters and attested ecologists, who managed to collect a huge quantity of various waste. Imagine that today, the garbage trucks from Tetovo and Bitola would spill all the collected garbage from the town in nature… That is approximately the amount of the collected waste in this action, waste collected from our fields, forests, rivers… As Pakomak, we will take part of this recyclable waste for further treatment in new raw materials. But unfortunately, the larger part will only be properly deposited… Waste selection at home and depositing it in appropriate containers and bins is still the best option”, said Pakomak’s Executive Director, Filip Ivanovski.
The eco-action, Generalka Weekend 2022 is planned to repeat every year until 2031 in order for the entire country to be cleaned from waste and to implement a sustainable system for waste selection and management.
“We would like to thank each and every participant who was part of GENERALKA WEEKEND 2022. We demonstrated that by 2031, until the 40th anniversary of the country’s independence, together we can accomplish the goal that we have set, and that is to clean our country from waste. We want to make all people to be proud again of their country and be remembered as the generation that brough back hope and love in the country of the Sun”, said Men and Mountain’s representatives.
Together with the Ministry of Agriculture, in autumn, for every 10 kg of waste collected during GENERALKA WEEKEND, a tree will be planted in forest plantations called SUNNY FOREST.
