Enhancement of public participation in decision-making on reduction of POPs environmental releases.
The key aim of the project activity was to strengthen public capacity and participation in decision making aimed at reducing POPs releases into the environment. The activity was focused on sustainable waste management, including waste minimization and the zero waste approach. Information materials on waste minimization approach were prepared and disseminated broadly among interested stakeholders. A seminar with participation of representatives of NGOs, relevant governmental entities and businesses was held with the focus on a non-incineration approach to waste management. Public hearings on the plans to construct a waste incinerator in the vicinity of Volgograd and an installation for hazardous waste destruction at Khimprom enterprise in Volgograd city were organized. Participants of the public hearings approved the following final decisions:
1. To conduct a public environmental assessment of the project of commissioning of the plasma PCBs elimination unit at "Khimprom" Co. facility.
2. To establish public control of environmental expenditures of the oblast budget, including, in particular, expenditures to address the problem of waste at the territory of the oblast.
3. To implement an information campaign in district-level mass media outlets for the city residents on prevention of implementation of municipal waste incineration projects.
Outputs:
Information materials on waste minimization
Seminar on waste management with participation of representatives of NGOs, relevant governmental entities and businesses
Public hearings on waste incinerator plans
Recommendations from public hearings