In a survey of schoolchildren in rural areas on waste management, we noted that the practice of incineration is common in most villages. Including “green” waste, ie fallen leaves, cut branches, tops, etc. in your own garden. In autumn and spring, piles of green waste are burned in the village for weeks, and poisonous smoke spreads to the outskirts and outside the village. This phenomenon is so common that no one pays attention to the fact that a ton of smoldering leaves emits 30 kilograms of carbon monoxide (it binds to hemoglobin in the blood, blocks the supply of oxygen to body tissues) and 9 kg of smoke microparticles. They include dust, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, heavy metals and a number of carcinogenic compounds. Benzopyrene is released in the smoldering leaves without access to oxygen, which can cause cancer in humans. In addition, smoke releases dioxins into the air – one of the most toxic substances for humans. Combustion also releases carbon dioxide, which is one of the greenhouse gases that causes climate change on Earth.
The problems of incineration of green waste and air pollution with toxic substances can be eliminated by gradually changing the practice of incineration to the practice of composting in settlements. Instead of poisonous smoke, residents can receive high-quality fertilizer for greenery, gardens and orchards.
One of the activities of the Ecosphera is sustainable development of communities. In particular, assistance in setting up a solid waste management system. The Ecosphera has been dealing with the problems of environmental pollution with garbage for more than 15 years.
Territory of activity: Velykyi Bychkiv township, Rakhiv district, Zakarpattia region.
Objective: to promote sustainable management of “green” waste and prevent the burning of organic matter in Velykyi Bychkiv by acquainting residents with the possibilities and ways of organizing a composting system in households and creating on the basis of Velykobychkiv Secondary School №1 demonstration site for organic waste.
Purposes:
1. Publish and distribute the information booklet “Compost – Save the Earth!”
2. Prepare a one-day seminar program for school students.
3. Conduct a seminar.
4. Assist in creating a composting zone on the school grounds
5. Shoot a 1.5-minute video of the success story and distribute it in the media, on the Ecosphera pages on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube channel.
6. Carry out a broad information campaign.
Results:
- 500 copies of the information booklet were published
- 1 two-day training seminar was held for 60 students and teachers of the school
- Created 1 compost zone
- Promotional video “Success story of Velykobychkivska school №1” created
Partners: National Endowment for Democracy (NED), NGO “Lion Society”
Project “Don’t burn! Compost!” implemented with the financial support of the NGO “Lion Society” (Lviv, Ukraine) at the expense of the National Endowment for Democracy (Washington, USA)
