The Municipality of Postojna, as part of the Waste Design 2.0 project under the Interreg Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 program, is joining this year's European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR). From November 18th to 26th, numerous activities aimed at reducing waste packaging will take place in the municipality. Postojna is participating in the European Week for Waste Reduction for the second time this year, thereby strengthening its efforts for sustainable development in the municipality.
As emphasized by Maja Piškur, the project manager at the Municipality of Postojna: "The European Week is an excellent opportunity for raising awareness and promoting sustainable practices in our local community. Therefore, we invite all residents of Postojna to join the activities that will show us how we can treat waste as a solution rather than a problem, and together, build a better future for ourselves and future generations."
The activities will be carried out in collaboration with educational institutions in Postojna, the Notranjska Museum Postojna, the Beno Zupančič Library Postojna, the Znanje Postojna Institute, the Lokalc Association, Destilator, and Hortikultura. They will follow the following schedule:
November 18th – 26th: Charitable Bottle Collection Campaign
As part of the EWWR, the Municipality of Postojna will join the nationwide charitable campaign organized by Lidl Slovenia, collecting discarded plastic bottles for the "Junaki 3rd Floor" project. Residents can bring plastic bottles to the wooden kiosk located between the Postojna Municipality building and the People's University Postojna. The bottles must be undamaged, without caps, and have a label with a code. The goal of the campaign is to provide the local community of Postojna with the opportunity to collect discarded bottles in the local environment and show support for the "Junaki 3rd Floor" initiative.
November 18th – 26th: Green Corner
As part of the Green Corner organized by Postojna Tourism, residents can watch videos that promote responsible waste separation and reduction in everyday life, during travels, and other adventures in a relaxed and interesting way. The short films will be screened on the Visit Postojna social media platforms and at the TIC Galerija Postojna location.
November 20, 2023: Lecture "Museums for the Future"
An educational lecture and roundtable discussion titled "Museums for the Future" will take place at Notranjski Museum on Monday, November 20, 2023, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. The event will feature practical examples and useful tips for more sustainable operations of cultural institutions, shared by Notranjski Museum Postojna, Ecologists Without Borders, and Destilator. Registration is required to participate, and can be done by emailing info@notranjski-muzej.si.
November 20-24, 2023: From Waste to Ornaments in Educational Institutions
Younger generations play a crucial role in shaping a more sustainable future, which is why educational institutions in Postojna will also join the activities. Through a special activity that combines creativity, sustainability, and a festive atmosphere, they will engage in making holiday ornaments from waste packaging. Under the guidance of teachers and educators, the youngest participants will learn about the importance of recycling and sustainable behavior, taking their first steps towards making a difference.
November 25, 2023: Final Workshop "From Waste to Ornaments"
The activity will be concluded with a workshop on ornament-making at the Bena Zupančič Library in Postojna, led by Mateja Premrl in collaboration with the library. Adults will also have the opportunity to join younger generations in creating change. The goal of the activity is to draw attention to the often overlooked challenge of waste management, which intensifies during the holiday season, while also promoting creative thinking about reusing waste. The collected holiday ornaments will showcase the creativity of the local community in Postojna, adorning Christmas trees along Tržaška Street and symbolizing our collective effort towards a more sustainable future. In collaboration with Hortikultura, the Christmas trees will be distributed to residents and vendors on Tržaška Street.
About the European Week for Waste Reduction and the Waste Design 2.0 Project
The European Week for Waste Reduction is the largest awareness-raising campaign on waste prevention in Europe. The campaign is part of the broader Waste Design 2.0 project, co-financed by the Interreg Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 program. Within this framework, the European Union is developing new solutions and testing innovative technologies in waste management and the circular economy. The campaign will bring together thousands of volunteers from different parts of Europe, all working towards a common goal.