Run from plastic

The project "Run from Plastic" is designed by A.O. EcoDigital in partnership with A.O. E-Circular Training and Consulting Center, A.O. Run Moldova and A.O. APIAM to reduce plastic pollution by promoting the reduction of the consumption of disposable plastic packaging and a healthy lifestyle.

In the context in which we register a constant increase in the quantities of plastic waste, and their recycling rate is maintained, not only in the Republic of Moldova but also globally, it is understandable that recycling is not a sufficient solution in the fight with these hazardous waste for the environment and health. Starting from this argumentation the project proposes to interact directly with the country's population of all ages and gender to raise their perception of packaging and plastic waste by adopting healthy and sustainable practices based on the most correct options of the waste hierarchy (prevention, reduce and reuse). In this process and in achieving the established objective we proposed together with the partners (co-financing) of the project an innovative approach at national level, namely to reduce the pollution with plastic first movement and to inspire people from the Republic of Moldova to build a connection with the environment through Education, sanitation and adventures on routes. In this beautiful mission we have as a partner A.O. RunMoldova with which we will organize at least 5 sports campaigns in several localities in the country (EcoRun Hîncești, Volvo Ultra Race - d.Ialoveni, Golden Dragon - ORHEIUL Reservation/s.Trebujeni, s.Butuceni, Marathon at Fetești - d.Edineț, Dantes Heel Ultra-d.Ialoveni/Suruceni-Dănceni).

Through these events we will also promote the concept of Plogging (a combination of jogging with lifting garbage) and respectively we will interact in common to restore the health of the natural ecosystem. As a training, Plogging offers variations in body movements through bending, crouching, and stretching the main running action, hiking or walking. It is estimated that approximately 2,000,000 people do daily Plogging in 100 countries. The plastic collection will be predominantly made in more distant and less visited places by most people in everyday life. Last but not least, through these sports campaigns that will promote the slogan "Run from Plastic/ Run for Health" we will use eco-options to reduce the plastic quantities generated in the organized events. Respectively, we will also develop a guide on how we can organize events with zero plastic and with an emphasis on REFILL, which will be available and accessible for all. A first step in this regard will be the replacement of plastic ribbons with marking for sports competitions with biodegradable options, excluding plastic bottles and replacing them with reusable foldable cups and REFILL systems. Another example is the production of a single type of shirt for all 5 sporting events and emphasize to reuse this product (applicable for people who repeatedly participate in each of the events).

Another component of the project is about improving the separate plastic waste collection infrastructure in several localities in the country. In this sense we have as a partner A.O. APIAM which has already launched a pilot project for collecting plastic packaging and applying the extended responsibility mechanism (EPR) in 9 localities (Onițcani, Cruggic, Boșcana, Porumbeni, Dubăsarii, Drăsliceni commune, Criuleni city of Criuleni district, Cruleni City and Ciorescu commune in Chisinau municipality). Through the project we propose to supplement the number of bins for the separation collection of plastic packaging in these 9 localities, including the identification of 1-2 new localities. The purchased bins will be located in the immediate vicinity of the shopping centers/shops and informing the consumers about the importance of returning the packaging generated. The improvement of the proposed results will also be carried out with the support of a series of ecological hours organized in the educational institutions in the localities where nets are installed. Young people, through games will know what impact plastic has on health, how to reduce its quantity in everyday life and what we do with the accumulated plastic packaging. The most active students will be awarded with useful reuse/REFILL products.