Endangered living environment, constant increase in the number of illegal landfills, tons and tons of discarded pieces of plastic and other materials in nature are images present in our lives every day through all communication channels.
We are witnessing the environmental disasters almost every day. The global ecological picture is endangered and distorted by every individual who, through his_her irresponsible behavior, contributes to the process of destroying the communities in which we live.
Recycling is an important segment of today’s society through which developed countries try to reduce the amount of waste in such a way that waste is returned en masse for re-production and use. This work principle that results in environmental protection is the guiding principle of the Association EKO OTPOR from Široki Brijeg, which promotes recycling methods in local communities and among the population, but also informs the public about illegal landfills and unscrupulous individuals who create them.
The Association for Safe Environment EKO OTPOR operates in the City of Široki Brijeg and the West Herzegovina Canton with the aim of removing illegal landfills and promoting the importance of recycling and reuse of raw materials.
In cooperation with the Association of Persons with Disabilities “Utjeha” from Široki Brijeg, which recycles and sells items obtained through recycling, EKO OTPOR implemented the project “ECO AKTIV COMMUNITY” through which street actions were implemented in Ljubuški and Široki Brijeg. Through the project, equipment was procured for the office of the Association EKO OTPOR in order to ensure normal functioning and continuity in work, and as a contribution of the Association, recycled materials for distribution were procured and the total value of the project is 4,201.54 BAM.
The distribution of free samples of recycled items at street actions, as well as the presentation of recycling and samples of plastic as raw materials, is the first public presentation of recycled products, and citizens recognized these activities and showed great interest in recycling and items made from recycled materials. Also, the work of these two associations is recognized by the general public and the result is the establishment of cooperation with florists who will procure recycled items created through workshops for collection, processing and recycling, with companies that use plastics in production, but also cooperation with hotels in Neum for the needs of recycling, the Association “Utjeha” was given broken deckchairs, tables and chairs.
The Association EKO OTPOR emphasizes that it is necessary to continuously work on changing the consciousness of citizens in order to identify environmental problems in the community and be actively involved in the fight for a healthy and safe living environment.
By strengthening the capacity of civil society organizations and involving community actors in solving local problems, we encourage joint work on local development and promote positive examples of social engagement in communities.
The project “ECO AKTIV COMMUNITY”, implemented by the Association for Safe Environment EKO OTPOR from Široki Brijeg, was realized within the project “Local Works – Together for Local Development” implemented by the Center for Civic Cooperation from Livno and the Association of Citizens “Grahovo” from Bosansko Grahovo with the support provided by the United States Agency for International Development – USAID.
