The project, the actions and the contributors
Why “Mind the Waste”?
The waste we produce is constantly increasing. At the same time, waste recycling rates remain at very low levels in our country. The waste that we recklessly remove from the places we live, work or have fun in will cause us, more and more, to suffer from multiple, serious and often very long-lasting effects. It is only with the close and consistent cooperation between the residents-citizens and the Municipality that we can reduce the waste sent for burial and, by extension, the management costs for the Municipality (collection costs, transport, environmental fee of circular economy for the mixed untreated municipal waste).
The "Mind the Waste" is a project financed by the Green Fund within the framework of the "Innovative Actions with Citizens" Programme.
These are actions which are being developed as a pilot in the field of the Municipality of Byronas for the period 2021-2022, while at the same time the open disposal of their know-how is planned for the Municipalities throughout Greece that face the challenges of waste management.
The aim of "Mind the Waste" is to facilitate the transition to new sustainable waste management practices, and in particular to introduce practices for recycling and reduction, setting as a necessary condition the active participation of citizens and their close cooperation with the Municipality.
The "Mind the Waste" project is implemented by the non-profit company Place Identity Clusters, with the cooperation of the Municipality of Byronas and the Hellenic Network "NatureFriends" (Non-profit Pan-Hellenic Association).


The methodology of the "Mind the Waste" actions is a global approach for the issues of waste management by the Municipalities, through which training, awareness and activation of all interested parties, citizens, professionals and authorities is ensured. According to this approach we develop:
BEST PRACTICES RESEARCH
The research of best practices aims to review practices, examples and methods regarding citizen participation and education for waste management, the formation of local regulations of cleanliness and Centers for Creative Reuse of Materials (CCRM). The results of this research will be used for the training and empowerment of the project team, the workshops’ participants, such as local authorities executives, active citizens as well as residents of the municipality, and also the development of infographics and creative content to inform the general public.
PARTICIPATORY WORKSHOPS & RESEARCH
Residents-citizens, working staff, representatives of public and private bodies, scientists and professionals / businesses and collectives, bodies and institutions in charge, with relevant disciplines; they all co-shape strategies and policies a) for the Cleanliness Regulation and b) for the new Structures and Procedures for the Reuse of Materials in the Municipality of Byronas, through the application of innovative consultation methods, participatory design and online public surveys.
EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS
The training program will concern the implementation practices of responsible waste management and reuse of materials at a local level (Municipal level) (see CCRM, new operating regulation, etc.). The educational material will be able to be used both within the school communities by the educational staff of elementary schools and high schools, as well as to be one of the possible educational functions of the CCRM, with the aim of helping to further consolidate the CCRM as a learning space in matters regarding waste reduction and management and reuse of materials.
CITIZEN AWARENESS AND AWARENESS APPLICATIONS
A set of digital creative applications (infographics, presentations, articles) on sustainable waste management and specifically on the reasons that demand a change in the behavior of citizens and authorities in the way we create and manage our waste.
In the field of the Municipality of Byronas for the years 2021-2022, two main thematic axes were chosen:
Cleanliness Regulation: The Cleanliness Regulation is a codified set of rules, which is mandatory for each Municipality (Article 79 of N. 3463/2006 Code for Municipalities and Communities).
The Cleanliness Regulation of a Municipality defines all the obligations and rights of the Municipality and the citizens, regarding keeping up the cleanliness of the common areas, the protection of the environment and the safeguarding of public health in the city. At the same time, a Cleanliness Regulation contributes to the notification of the relevant rules and their application by each party involved (Cleaning Service and other municipal services, residents, professionals and visitors of the city) as well as to the management of waste of all kinds.
Center for the Creative Reuse of Materials (CCRM): CCRMs are defined and organized spaces, formed by one or more municipalities together, where citizens can deposit used items. A CCRM may consist of a simple building infrastructure, where distinct spaces are created for sorting, repairing and storing objects. Used items of all kinds can be accepted at the CCRMs, such as electrical and electronic equipment, toys, furniture, bicycles, books and textiles. Municipalities with a population of over twenty thousand (20,000) inhabitants are required to implement and operate at least one Creative Reuse Center by the year 2023.
Το έργο με μια ματιά

The project's actions are coordinated by representatives of all management agencies.
Project management: Maria Kikidou - Urban planner.
Strategic planning for citizen participation: Mary Karatza - Strategic Designer.
Local implementation of actions: Despina Spanoudis - Advisor to the Mayor of Byronas Municipality.
Design/Implementation of educational program: Victoria Hatziargyriou - Biologist.
Communication plan implementation: Augustinos Parianos - Environmental Engineer, Alexandros Spyropoulos - Environmental Engineer
Project support: Marianna Patelida - Urban planner MSc.
Communication campaign: Designature
Communication Applications: Ioanna Karmali - Designer.
Content development of public information campaign: Kostas Fotinakis - Local History Researcher.
Best Practices Research: Olga Daskali - Lawyer, Pavlos Georgiadis - Ethnobiologist
Coordination of workshops: Odysseas Velentzas - Facilitator



