Applications are open until the 2nd of November to join the rest of Europe and come up with actions to reduce, reuse and recycle the waste we produce! Please see here to register.

European Week for Waste Reduction: Help reduce, reuse & recycle

Given its huge success, the European Week for Waste Reduction is back once again for the 7th consecutive year between the 21st and 29th November 2015. Everyone can make a difference for the benefit of the environment by participating in this event. This year’s theme is ‘Dematerialisation: Doing more with less!’

The EWWR is an annual initiative which brings together thousands of awareness-raising actions about sustainable waste management from across Europe.

The aim is to encourage a wide range of audiences to come up with practical solutions and activities that help to reduce waste or increase recycling, and promote these actions among others. This makes the EWWR an ideal opportunity for all private, public and non-profit entities to make a difference for the environment.

European Week for Waste Reduction 2015, held under the patronage of the European Parliament.

While continuing to build awareness on the importance of the 3Rs, this year special focus is being given to the issue of dematerialisation in particular, with special recognition given to participants who organise an action themed on dematerialisation.

Dematerialisation stands for using less or no material to deliver the same level of functionality to the user. Concretely this includes two aspects:

a) Shift from products to services

Replacing products with services, sharing and borrowing products, and the organisation of group services instead of individual ownerships is one aspect of dematerialisation. In everyday life this could involve you renting tools from your neighbour or colleague, being part in a car sharing network instead of owning a car, listening to music via digital music distribution systems instead of buying CDs, etc.

b) Improved material use

Another aspect of dematerialisation is the absolute or relative reduction in the quantity of materials required to satisfy needs in society. That would include increasing the efficiency of material use (using less materials for a specific function) and substituting materials (exchanging heavy materials with light materials), but also reusing products.

For ideas and examples of Dematerialisation actions, visit the official EWWR website by clicking here.

Everyone can contribute by making a special effort during this week to reduce the amount of waste thrown away – be it food, disposables, packaging waste, bulky waste, and so on. Another idea is to sign up to the website www.reuse.com.mt and donate any unwanted items.

What’s more, anyone can also become the organiser of an official EWWR event. Just get creative, join forces and apply! Participation is open to:

– private companies

– public entities

– associations & NGOs

– schools

– individual citizens

Please click here for the rules of participation 2015.

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