ArmInfo. The launching ceremony of the "Turning Environmental Challenges into Opportunities: Introducing Construction Materials from Plastic Waste" project took place in Kapan on February 23, Mayor of Kapan Ashot Hayrapetyan told reporters. One of the most important expected results of the project is to raise the environmental consciousness and behaviour change among population.
The project will project will create capacities for production of construction materials using plastic waste in Kapan and create additional employment in Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions. Hayrapetyan said that the project will create 35 new jobs. "We developed the idea to separate plastic from waste two years ago together with the Urban Sustainable Development Fund. We were able to introduce this culture in our communities," he added. In the future, he said, it is planned to introduce construction materials from plastic waste. The price of such construction materials will be no higher than the market price and the products will be more ecologically friendly. The project is estimated at 750 thsd EUR, with 60% of this amount to be allocated by the EU, 25% by the Armenian Government, and 15% by the partners. "The project will be implemented in Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions," he said.
EU Ambassador to Armenia Piotr Switalski opened the launching ceremony of the project. Ambassador Switalski noted that the EU gives high priority to cooperation with local organizations. The EU has invested millions of euros in cooperation: over 3 mln EUR in Kotayk region, 8 mln EUR in Yerevan and today 2 interesting projects related to waste management in Goris and Kapan are being discussed. "Armenia is a beautiful country, and Armenians deserve to live in a clean and healthy environment", said Ambassador Switalski while pledging continuous support to development of regions in Armenia. The project will ultimately contribute to balanced social and economic development of Syunik and Vayots Dzor regions by introducing innovative technology and diversifying economic opportunities.
In addition, the "Alliance of Cleanness" project was presented. It is estimated at 280 thsd EUR. The project provides for creation of relevant infrastructures for effective scavenging, provision of technical devices and improvement of household activities in Goris and Gorayk communities.
The project being implemented by joint efforts of Ijevan (Armenia) and Bolnisi (Georgia) is nearing completion. The two partner towns developed and expanded the strategy of garbage disposal and took wide-scale measures to raise public awareness of waste sorting methods.
To note, the two-day forum "Turning Environmental Challenges into Opportunities" covered the initiatives aimed at improving garbage disposal services in different regions of Armenia. 75% of funding of these projects is provided by the EU, with the remaining 25% co-financed by the Government of Armenia. The forum was organized by the Urban Sustainable Development Fund.
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