New ways to encourage innovation and reuse
About this good practice
Implementation of projects concerning innovation in waste reduction and reuse in Klaipėda, Lithuania Having started implementing the project 2LIFES, Waste Management Centre of Klaipėda Region (hereinafter referred to as WMCKR) employed innovative means to encourage circular
economy. In 2019, waste management sites were equipped with points for exchanging items, which also led to an increased awareness in the local press, radio and social networks. As a consequence of an active communication campaign, item exchange rate in Klaipėda has increased dramatically. Moreover, an app for Android users has been launched this year. It helps people to upload and exchange their items free of charge. In addition, the app displays different areas or business establishments where unnecessary items can be fixed instead of throwing them out to a landfill. We’re planning to implement an idea, which is already showing results in Germany, and have a once-in-a-month car boot sale in Klaipėda. The sale would be provided free of charge, however, various restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic prevent it at the moment. The main aspect of a car boot sale is that people gather in one of the designated locations on weekends, put the items that they no longer need into the car boot and exchange them while communicating, sharing experiences and listening to the radio. A car boot sale helps to reduce the amount of waste and encourages reuse of items that for some people seem no longer useful.
Resources needed
Since we’re planning to raise awareness about the project by using different means of communication i.e. local press, radio stations and social networks, we require 25-35 K euros of annual funding to prepare, post content and advertise the project on social networks .
Evidence of success
We’re seeing an increasing number of radio broadcasts and posts on social networks as well as items exchange in Klaipėda region, which is growing dramatically as our posts reach engagement numbers as high as 100 thousand users per month, which is more than 1.5 million every year. Both posts on social networks and radio broadcasts perform a socio-educational function i.e. encourages recycling and exchanging items. This way the popularity of circular economy is highly increasing in our country.
Potential for learning or transfer
The potential of this project is that it contributes to reducing waste and harm to the environment, which is one of the main strategic approaches of the European Commission. It also improves people’s information literacy and forms the approach to waste management with the principles of circle economy in mind.
Further information
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Good practice owner
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