World Environment Day in Romania
Romania joins the international community in warning that environment protection is more necessary than ever
Roxana Vasile, 05.06.2018, 13:07
Designated by the UN Assembly General in 1972, World Environment Day is celebrated every year on June 5. “Beat Plastic Pollution!” is this year’s theme, chosen by the UN Environment Programme in order to raise awareness and change attitudes towards plastics. Less than one-tenth of the total amount of plastics produced so far has been recycled, and the plastic bags made in one year alone would cover an area twice the size of France. Plastics kill ocean life, contaminate the soil and, when burned, release toxic substances in the air. Although some countries have enforced restrictions and even banned disposable bags, the UN environment agency calls for tighter measures, like improved recycling, promoting re-usable products, more environment-friendly alternatives and educating consumers.
Romania joins the international community, and through a number of activities in many towns and cities, warns that now more than ever, from political decision-makers to common citizens, people must be aware of the importance of preserving the environment, a valuable legacy for the generations to come. Gabriela Dorojan, head of the Romanian Environment Guard:
“If we introduce selective waste collection, smaller amounts of plastic waste, glass, paper and cardboard will end up in landfills and larger amounts will go into recycling and re-use. So I believe it is a duty for all of us, governmental agencies, industries, communities, to join efforts and to find sustainable alternatives to the excessive use of plastics, which as we all know pollute both land and waters and threaten our health.”
On Monday, in Prahova County in the south, the first tests were run at a new Mechanical and Biological Waste Treatment Plant designed to process 110,000 tonnes of biodegradable waste per year. Attending the event was, among others, the Environment Minister Gratiela Gavrilescu:
“First of all, some 11 million euros worth of European funding went into the construction of this plant. It is the biggest such facility in the country. This is a way of showing the EU and others that we are able to absorb European funds, that we know how to spend them properly and that we can build high-performance plants. And one more thing: this treatment plant is 100% Romanian made.”
We should also add that in Bucharest the Mayor General Gabriela Firea presented solutions to reduce pollution and improve air quality in the capital city, while a large supermarket chain has replaced plastic bags with biodegradable ones. In the near future, Romania intends to give up plastic bags altogether, just like many other European countries.
(Translated by A.M. Popescu)
