Chemicals

The widespread use of plastics in the manufacture of drink packaging in particular has created a big problem and the pollution of waters of plastic bottles on the Debar s Lake and rivers and Black Drim and Radika. No selecting plastic waste from the public companies has become a utility and the low awareness of the possibility of recycling of plastic waste further affect deterioration. Thousands of plastic bottles swim through the waters of the Debar Lake and in the city of Debar near the containers are tossed around plastic bottles. Citizens, restaurants and hotels throw plastic waste with other waste in containers and so ends up in the city dump that looks like a illegal dump site; plastic is burned which pollutes the air with POPs - Persistant Organic Pollutants. Hydro Power Plant Spilje regularly collects part of the plastic bottles from Debar Lake where the Dam is because the plastic bottles can damage the turbine or to reduce the impact of water in the turbine; the waste plastic bottles are collected and put in the landfill. So far the city has done little to educate citizens about the possibility of recycling of plastic waste and of its pollution of land, water and air from the plastic (especially when burnt) and the possibility of generating income from recycling this and other plastic. The general objective of the project: Reducing quantities POPs emitted from improper management of waste plastic bottles in Debar Lake and local restaurants/ hotels; through organized collection and recycling of the same as achieving local economic development and environmental benefit. Specific Objective 1: Educate and motivate pupils for selection of plastic waste at home, the inclusion of practical education of students by pressing on the bottle in primary schools, raising awareness of employees in restaurants and hotels Specific objective 2: Organized collection and transportation of plastic bottles Specific Objective 3 Create income for communities through recycling of plastic waste (portion of funds from selling the plastic bottles will be donated to schools; for example for activities for protection of the environment).

Macedonia