Since 2018, the City of Makarska has been implementing the Collect, Stack, Dispose Conscientiously campaign and is focusing its efforts on promoting sustainability through education on waste management and environmental protection and improving and upgrading the waste management system.
As part of the campaign, the Makarska Greeny Festival – a 100% degradable festival was held in June 2023 with the message Let us learn everything about smart waste management. This festival brought together the local community to educate them on the importance of waste management, the issue of marine litter, composting, zero waste principles, and the use of food in the kitchen. The festival has become the epicentre of innovative ideas and practices aimed at preserving the environment and creating a sustainable future.
The key goal of the Greeny Festival was to educate children and citizens about proper waste management. The organizers recognized the importance of education to create awareness of the environmental challenges we face and to encourage changes in people’s way of thinking and behaviour.
Various workshops, lectures and an entertainment program for children and adults were organized during the festival. The role of Sunce was the organization of interactive workshops in which children could participate and where they had the opportunity to learn about marine waste and the proper separation of waste. Participants counted microplastics in the sea and took part in various experiments. Children’s participation in such workshops is the key to success in conveying messages to their parents.
Those a little older were provided with information about the importance of reducing, reusing and recycling waste and how each of us can contribute to the preservation of the environment. They also had the opportunity to participate in the forum and find out if it is possible to live and work without creating waste.
One of the special features of the festival was the focus on using all the ingredients in the kitchen. Through cooking, demonstration and tasting, visitors learned how to reduce food waste and creatively use all parts of food. They also got ideas for preparing delicious meals from leftovers in the kitchen.
Such events are examples of how the local community can actively participate in environmental protection and promotion of sustainability. By actively involving children and citizens in the education of waste management, marine waste, composting and the use of food in the kitchen, the festival raised awareness of the importance of lifestyle changes and the encouragement of sustainable practices. Events like this provide a platform to exchange ideas and create innovative solutions that will help create a healthier and more sustainable future for us all.