Plastics in EECCA
Addressing the escalating plastic crisis in five countries of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia
Tackling the Plastic Crisis Together
In May 2024, a coalition of leading environmental organizations initiated a groundbreaking project to address the plastic crisis in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia (EECCA). Supported by the Plastic Waste Partnership under the Basel Convention, this initiative aims to mobilize civil society, governments, and stakeholders in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan to minimize plastic and plastic waste generation and promote sustainable, plastic-free alternatives. Our collective effort is a testament to our commitment to a cleaner, healthier future.
Our Mission for a Sustainable Future
Our project’s goal is to make significant steps in reducing plastic pollution in the EECCA countries by:
- Raising awareness about the dangers of plastic, plastic waste and toxic chemicals and additives in plastic production and products.
- Empowering stakeholders and the public to implement feasible solutions.
- Promoting environmentally sound plastic management and sustainable alternatives.
- Contributing to a toxic-free circular economy.
Together, we can create lasting change and move towards a plastic-free world.
Challenges and Focus Areas
The EECCA countries face challenges in managing plastic and plastic waste, including:
- High level of plastic consumption
- Low recycling rates due to unorganized waste collection.
- Lack of awareness about the dangers of plastic, plastic waste and toxic chemicals in plastics.
- Insufficient recycling facilities to distinguish between non-toxic recyclable and contaminated non-recyclable plastic.
Our project helps to tackle these issues by raising awareness and promoting regulations on plastics, including single-use plastics, thereby paving the way for sustainable plastic management in the region.