Zelena akcija / FoE Croatia followed up on the success of a previous project by actively participating in several community activities related to waste management in Vrbovec, Croatia. The first was to present the findings of their novel pilot waste management program (also supported by ISIP) at a local scientific symposium geared towards waste management policy.
In an effort to promote alternative methods to the use of highly toxic pesticides, Ecological Restorations collaborated with officials from the Ghanan Environmental Protection Agency to develop a summarized and illustrated version of the Pesticides Control Management Act.
In an effort to increase public awareness and education about the invisible dangers of toxics, Toxisphera built a website to enable citizens to post information about chemicals and reach a wider audience. This interactive website also allowed other networks and websites to share articles and publications informing the public about emerging themes of SAICM as well as the Stockholm Convention on POPs, domestic chemical prevention projects, and mercury related issues.
In 2010, Eco-Sense conducted a chemical assessment of 30 cosmetic and 30 household products found in local markets. The research resulted in a comprehensive list of chemicals present in these products, the risks linked to the chemicals found, and suggestions for chemical-free products that could be used by consumers as an alternative. In addition to a detailed report, colorful shopping guides with a picture of the product and a list of warning signs for consumers to use when choosing products were produced.
Environmental Protection & Sustainable Development (EPSDS) orchestrated a workshop with the Akram Red Crescent Medical Center and the Syrian Red Crescent to discuss the future management of mercury-containing equipment and to decide on a policy for providing mercury-free healthcare equipment and materials.
Following two separate pollution incidents by the Cleanway Technology Corporation in 2009, Cavite Green Coalition community organizers staged a series of activities to create awareness in the community and push for a closing down of the plant. This included an initial chemical safety seminar in the community that spurred a letter writing campaign to local government agencies and key officials. Mass mobilizations and picket lines outside the company followed this action and were successful in temporarily closing the plant.
Altervida, working with Pesticide Action Network in Latin America (RAPAL) and IPEN, organized and conducted a national seminar, held at the National Congress, which focused on policies towards highly hazardous and obsolete pesticides. Attended by various stakeholders (250 participants representing NGOs, international experts, indigenous groups, workers, and government officials), the seminar created awareness about the need to promote a policy for the progressive phase out of highly hazardous pesticides.
In collaboration with medical officials, Center for Environmental Justice (CEJ) organized medical clinics to pre-screen agricultural workers at risk for kidney disease resulting from exposure to arsenic in pesticides. In several of these clinics (as well as outside of the clinics), CEJ conducted small discussion groups at which farmers were given brochures highlighting the dangers of illegal and highly dangerous pesticides and notifying them of their rights.
In an effort to promote sustainable waste management, Taller Ecologista produced two videos dealing with issues of waste management. While one of the videos focusses on the city of Rosario and its Zero Waste ordinance, the other is a more general orientation targeted to organizations and citizen groups that seek to promote zero waste garbage plans. The objective of the videos was to promote awareness and influence changes in waste managment that are oriented toward the Zero Waste concept.
ESDO conducted a series of surveys with importers, retailers, repairers, and consumers to assess the amount of E-waste being generated by television, computers, mobile phones, CFL bulbs, and medical/dental wastes. The survey showed the production of E-waste from the electronic sector is increasing exponentially in Bangladesh, even though nearly all E-waste is manufactured abroad and imported. From this information, ESDO published an educational booklet on E-waste that was shared with the public, and developed an E-waste website with key information.
