Environmental Impacts
Mercury containing light bulbs in Nizhniy Novgorod: assessment of the situation and policy recommendations
In this project, Ecological Center Dront assessed the situation of mercury-containing light bulb contamination in Nizhniy Novgorod. Organizers examined existing legislation in the Russian Federation and, using this information, formally submitted requests to 28 Housing Maintenance Facilities (HMF) to implement an officially sanctioned program to collect used mercury light bulbs.
Raising public awareness and generation of new data about HG pollution in Albania
Waste Incineration Residues, a Significant Source of POPs in the Czech Republic
In an effort to create public awareness about illegal waste incineration in the Czech Republic as well as the larger issue of waste incineration residues in general, Arnika conducted several activities. The first involved sampling for PCB, dioxins, and PAH residues at a waste site and making the results public through mass media. Subsequently, a workshop on POPs wastes and waste incineration was organized for Czech NGOs, with 22 participants. A joint declaration from the workshop was created, as well as the formation of a new network.
POPS Pesticide Elimination Strategy for Vegetable Production in Tuba
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.
Awareness creation on the effects of mercury on human health and the environment in Ghana.
Ecological Restorations organized several activities to promote awareness about existing sources of mercury pollution and advocate for policy changes to protect human and environmental health. Policy makers, artisanal gold miners, journalists, researchers and members of the community all were targeted with various types of educational media. Additionally, Ecological Restorations held a workshop in which officials from the Ghananian EPA were invited to discuss future policy changes.
Awareness and Learning Initiative of E-waste Hazard in Bangladesh
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.
Information booklet on POPs for greater community participation in the issues in India
In 2011, the government of India submitted its National Implementation Plan (NIP) for persistent organic pollutants. Toxics Link, in an effort to bring a better understanding of this to interested stakeholders, prepared an easy-to-use and understand informational sheet that explains how the NIP is related to current issues on dioxin, furans and DDT use, as well as how the NIP is aligned with the Stockholm Convention.
Zero Waste videos
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.
Mobilizing People on Arsenic Poisoning due to Illegal Pesticides Use in Sri Lanka
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.