Introduction

Environmental Protection through IT and other electrical/electronic equipment recycling- Citizens environmental sensitisation

Objectives and target audience

The objectives are as follows:-

• Saving energy, reduction of energy use;

• Saving resources, reduction of resources use;

• Environmental protection related to water and soil.  The electronic/electrical waste has the potential to pollute aquatic and terrestrial  systems;

• Reduction of waste that are deposited in landfills;

• Improvement of citizens quality of life through the environmental protection;

• Application of Legislation related to environmental indicators (Directive of European Union);

• Contribution and promotion of human civilization;

• Citizens activation and sensitization (Development of active citizens-formation of active behaviors).

The target group are all the citizens-consumers of Amaroussion’s Municipality, especially children, students and companies.

Financial Resources and Partners involved

The Municipality of Amaroussion finances this specific project in cooperation with the Collective Alternative Management System, which is a procurer appointed by the Ministry of Environment.  The Municipality of Amaroussion and the collective alternative management system who are officially approved by the Ministry of Environment are involved in shaping and delivering the project.

Process

• Agreement and the signing of the relative compact between Amaroussion’s Municipality and the collective alternative management system officially approved by the Ministry of Environment.

• Definition of the central collection point, web announcement.

• Recycle bin placing in specific and protected points (Public buildings, schools, etc).

• Informative event in order for the Municipality’s officers to be familiarized with the system.

• Dissemination of the project’s existence in the entire municipality through leaflets, spots, etc.

• Continuous supervising of the project, and data recording.

• Problems report and registration (through municipality’s call centre- citizen’s phone line), corrective acts.

• Archive maintenance including the collected quantities of the waste equipment.

• Continuous recycle bin supply, if necessary.

• Municipality’s participation of educational programs concerning recycling which is taken place within schools.

Results

Since 2005, the project has been in a very successful.  Every year the project as a whole is improving, but there is still issues that need to sorted out.  The waste quantities collected during the years of 2006 and 2007 are 5200 kg and 20110 kg of waste equipment respectively.  This is equates to 0,28 kg/citizen.  The target which we are aiming towards is 4 kg /citizen (according to the National Target).  The results show that much improvement is needed in for our strategy to relate to the collection.  One major factor that could help improve this by to increase public awareness.  Another factor that has to be considered is the collaboration with other adjacent municipalities.

Critical Success Factors / Challenges

The key issues for success are:-

• The coordination between the municipality’s services with regards to the collection and the transportation of the waste equipment.   These tasks must be completed with extreme care as a severe leakage could cause horrific problems including problems regarding human health.

• One major key issue for success is to the approach the public well and using the correct forms of raising public awareness and sensitization.  It appears that public participation increases when people become more aware of waste and recycling.  Children and students as target group appear to be more motivated after a briefing event.

The ways in which this can be transferred to another municipality/organisation are by:

• The knowledge transfer;

• The discussion- dialogue about problems, implementation ways that had to be improved;

• The field study.