In a world driven by convenience and consumption, packaging plays a pivotal role in our daily lives. It safeguards our products, eases transportation, and often influences our purchasing decisions. However, the environmental repercussions of packaging waste are becoming increasingly evident. The transition towards sustainable packaging solutions is more critical than ever. With this in mind, the Euro-Med Weeks for Waste Reduction (EMWWR) returns in 2023 for its second edition, laser-focused on the theme of “Packaging.”
EMWWR is a powerful campaign on waste prevention in the Mediterranean region, conceived with inspiration from the successful European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR). Led by ACR+ and MedWaves, and fully supported by the EU through the SwitchMed Programme, EMWWR is dedicated to raising awareness and mobilizing action for a more sustainable future in the Mediterranean region.
The 2023 edition is poised to be a game-changer, addressing the urgent issue of packaging waste and its associated challenges. By focusing on packaging, EMWWR aims to empower individuals, businesses, and communities to come together and drive the shift towards a circular economy.
The heart of EMWWR lies in its Call for Actions, which is now open for innovative proposals. Action Developers are invited to submit their ideas, with a particular emphasis on engaging youth (aged 18 to 35) and women in the prevention and treatment of packaging waste in the Southern Mediterranean area.
This year, the Thematic Focus of the 2023 edition aligns perfectly with EWWR’s thematic focus – Packaging. We believe it’s time to take proactive measures to reduce the environmental impact of packaging, and this begins with your innovative ideas.
The Call for Actions welcomes all Action Developers, encompassing both public and private actors. If you’re legally based in one of the following Southern Mediterranean Countries – Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, or Tunisia, you’re eligible to be part of this transformational journey.
EMWWR’s Call for Actions embraces three crucial categories, each offering an opportunity to create meaningful change:
1. Prevent & Reduce: Encourage your audience to reduce packaging waste by providing advice on minimizing the amount of packaging they use. Highlight the urgency of this issue by organizing awareness-raising campaigns and workshops on designing packaging with minimal materials. Consider establishing refill stations in stores and promoting the purchase of products in bulk.
2. Reuse: Drive change by inspiring the reuse of packaging when buying new items. Promote initiatives that encourage the delay of purchasing new packaging by opting for reuse. Develop programs that encourage consumers to return and reuse packaging, such as glass bottles or reusable grocery bags. Reusable lunch containers at schools, as well as workshops on reusing packaging materials, can also make a significant impact.
3. Collection & Recycle: Champion the cause by promoting the recycling of packaging that can no longer be used. Educate and raise awareness through visits to recycling facilities, the installation of recycling bins in parks and public places, and educational campaigns emphasizing the importance of proper separate collection.
Awarding of Vouchers: Incentives for Positive Change
To further motivate Action Developers, EMWWR will award vouchers of up to €2,900 to four deserving proposals. These vouchers are designed to cover diverse costs related to the implementation of the proposed actions, including marketing, human resources, and other essential expenses.
Selected Action Developers will also have the unique opportunity to attend the prestigious EWWR Ceremony in Marseille in May-June 2024. Additionally, EMWWR will provide support through dissemination and information campaigns to maximize the impact of these groundbreaking initiatives.
EMWWR 2023 is an exceptional opportunity to be part of a transformative movement that addresses the pressing issue of packaging waste in the Southern Mediterranean region. By coming together and taking action, we can drive meaningful change towards a more sustainable future.
Submit your innovative Action Proposal today and be a catalyst for positive change in your community and beyond. Let’s turn the vision of a circular economy and responsible packaging into a reality.
Join us in making a difference – together, we can build a more sustainable future for all.
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