On October 9, 2024, a conference was organized at the European House in Podgorica. Focusing on waste management and the reduction of single-use plastic in public institutions. The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders partnered with the French Embassy and the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro.
The conference was held as part of the implementation of the PUMP project, and it also presented the results of the project “Gradual Phase-Out and Reduction of Single-Use Plastic Products in Public Institutions,” funded by Beyond Plastic Med. This initiative aims to implement systematic changes in Montenegro’s public sector. Promoting the reduction and eventual elimination of single-use plastics. Therefore, this event served as a platform to present the project and encourage discussions on sustainable practices and innovative solutions.
The conference began with greetings from Mrs. Vanja Cicmil, Executive Director of Zero Waste Montenegro. Mrs. Anne-Marie Maskay, Ambassador of France to Montenegro. Dragana Vujisić, Project Manager at Zero Waste Montenegro, presented the project results, sharing valuable insights and best practices. Above all, her presentation emphasized the need to tackle single-use plastics in public institutions and proposed strategies for progress. Subsequently, Vujisić introduced an assessment tool designed to evaluate current single-use plastic consumption and explore sustainable alternatives. This tool will serve as a practical resource for institutions.
Mr. Milan Gazdić, Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, delivered a presentation on Montenegro’s progress in waste management. Meanwhile, he emphasized successful practices and detailed steps taken by the EPA to reduce and eliminate single-use plastics.
Ratko Pavićević, Technical Director of the “Livade” Landfill, addressed the attendees on the opportunities and challenges in implementing waste separation programs. He stressed the importance of public-private partnerships.
To sum up the conference attracted significant attention from institutional representatives, many of whom participated in discussions during the event. In addition, the participants expressed strong interest in learning how they could begin the process of gradually phasing out single-use plastic products in their organizations.