The goal of our activities is to strengthen the implementation of zero waste solutions and the circular economy in our region. These actions are closely linked to the objectives of the Inter-municipal Climate Change Adaptation Plan, adopted in 2024 by all eight municipalities.
During the Fair, we conducted a needs assessment through surveys. What did they tell us about the residents of the Barycz Valley? 📊
Key findings from the adult survey:
High Awareness – over 81% of respondents had heard of the “zero waste” concept before the study.
Sorting is Our Strength – as many as 65% of us declare that we always sort waste, and another 30% do so frequently.
Willingness to Repair – nearly 70% of respondents often or always choose to repair items instead of replacing them with new ones.
Challenges? The biggest barriers to implementing zero waste for us are: higher prices of ecological/sustainable products, lack of time, and a deficit of local initiatives promoting this lifestyle.
How are the youth doing? (results from the children and youth surveys):
They Know Why It Matters – over 67% of young people agree or strongly agree that waste reduction is important for environmental protection.
Action at Home – nearly 2/3 of surveyed students confirm that waste is sorted correctly in their homes.
Sources of Knowledge? Their main sources of information about ecology are school, social media, and family.
These results show that we have a solid foundation for change, but also specific areas where support is needed. Therefore, as part of the project, we have planned, among others, workshops for entrepreneurs, international experience exchange , and study visits to partner countries. 🤝
One of the key results will be the development of a manual of best practices and the creation of a consultancy center for green solutions. Together, we are changing the Barycz Valley to be more “zero waste”! 🌍💚