This year we have funded a project that promotes the recycling of PET bottles and other plastic waste in Romania. The benefits of recycling such waste are well known, and the European Union (EU) has a target of 55% of all waste being recycled by 2030, which with the level across the EU standing at 32% currently, is ambitious. However, engagement in some areas is well below that, especially in the south-eastern countries of the EU. In Romania, only 14% of plastics and other synthetic materials is recycled. This rate has not been helped by a lack of facilities, and the project seeks to address that part of the issue by building capacity. However, a lower level of engagement on the issue exacerbates the problem. By partnering with local schools, the company at the centre of the project seeks to educate communities on the benefits of recycling, a key part of any attempt to change behaviour.
The project contributes to 10 SDGs. Details of how each is impacted, along with more information, including a short video, is available on the My Climate website: Circular Economy Through Plastic Recycling in Romania (myclimate.org)
