HARTA RECICLĂRII - RECYCLING MAP
About this good practice
The Recycling Map was developed by Viitor Plus, a NGO focused on the environmental education both for children and adults, that advocates for more engagement on environmental issues. The project’s most important tool is the online map with around 17,000 different collection points located throughout Romania, where people can bring different types of materials that can be recycled (plastic, cardboard, e-waste) or that has to be collected separately (furniture, medicine etc.).
Harta Reciclarii was designed as an interactive map to which the community can deliver its contribution. Anyone can easily register and add new points or revisit older ones that no longer exist.
In addition to the map, Harta Reciclarii is also a knowledge hub that encourages people to find out more information on how to deal with different types of disposals. It contains information about more than 60 different types of materials. The article for each type of waste is linked to the map. For example, a user who reads about batteries can access a link that re-directs him to the map, where he can see all the locations where batteries are collected.
Harta Reciclarii was mainly financed by Coca-Cola, through its sustainability initiative – După Noi, Strângem tot noi.
Resources needed
A platform like Harta Reciclarii needs around 35,000 euros for the development of the online solution and for the data and information added to it. The online platform’s maintenance and the content development would require another 5,000-10,000 euros annually.
Evidence of success
Harta Reciclarii is quite popular within the community that is aware of the environmental impact of its lifestyle and is keen on collecting waste separately.
Although we cannot measure the program’s impact on people’s awareness about reducing waste and separate collection, the website`s users grew by 40%, while the number of followers on Facebook and Instagram grew by 30-40% in 2021.
Potential for learning or transfer
Harta Reciclarii is a good idea that managed to come true. However, a lot of work was needed to transform the initial idea in an interactive online platform.
The core of the project is the map and the app that runs it. Therefore, a good start for a project like Harta Reciclarii could be finding a talented IT developer and putting together an updated database with recycling points.
Such a platform could also be extended to other areas that can improve the resources management within a community, a city or a country. Maps could be developed for repair workshops for household products, clothes or other products, for sustainable stores or markets with local products etc.