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Here’s a recap of the transnational partners' meeting in Lublin as part of the "5MEL" project! 

A big thank you to our partners: New Edu, n.o. (Slovakia), ASOCIATIA EDUTEX (Romania), Akdeniz Naturel Yasam Dernegi (Turkey), Universidade Sénior de Oeiras  (Portugal), and Fundacja Fundusz Inicjatyw (Poland) for inspiring discussions and shared plans!

Transnational meeting "5MEL"

On September 16-18, 2024, the partners of the "5 Matters of Eco-Love: beautiful, sustainable and together" project, funded by the Erasmus+ program, gathered in Lublin, Poland, for a transnational meeting. The project aims to promote sustainable development through education and activities like recycling and upcycling, while also engaging local communities in environmental actions.

During the meeting, partners from Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Turkey, and Portugal discussed the progress of the "Eco-Love" guide and planned the next steps for organizing regional educational workshops. The event began with a creative recycling workshop, where participants sewed reusable shopping bags from old clothes they brought. The following days were dedicated to discussions on communication strategies, quality management, and project dissemination. There was also time for cultural exchange, as participants visited the Lublin Village Open Air Museum, learning about the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The meeting was highly productive, strengthening the partnership and advancing the initiatives within the "5 Matters of Eco-Love" project.

Day 1 of the transnational meeting within the project: Five Matters of Eco-Love: beautiful, sustainable and together

• Creative Recycling Workshop - sewing reusable shopping bags

The Role of Local Communities in Environmental Protection - How to Engage People?

Local communities play a crucial role in environmental protection, and their engagement can yield tangible benefits. To effectively involve people, start with education and raising awareness about ecological challenges. Organize workshops, meetings, and informational campaigns to help understand how daily decisions impact the planet. Supporting local initiatives, such as cleaning up local areas, planting trees, or creating community gardens, fosters a sense of community and responsibility. Promote sustainable practices like recycling, conserving water and energy, and using public transport or bicycles. Partnerships with local businesses and organizations can further strengthen eco-friendly efforts. It’s essential to make these actions inclusive, engaging different social groups, from children to seniors, to build a strong, environmentally conscious community. 

Ecological Inspirations from Around the World - Interesting Examples from Other Countries

Ecological innovations and projects from various parts of the globe can be a great source of inspiration for all of us! In Sweden, zero-emission cities like Växjö aim to completely eliminate CO2 emissions. In India, Delhi successfully implemented the "Odd-Even" campaign to regulate car traffic and reduce air pollution. In Australia, Adelaide promotes a circular economy, supporting recycling and material reuse.

The Netherlands leads in sustainable agriculture with innovative greenhouse methods that minimize water and pesticide use. In Costa Rica, almost 100% of energy comes from renewable sources, and the country aims for carbon neutrality. Singapore exemplifies sustainable urbanization with numerous parks and rooftop gardens, fostering biodiversity in urban environments.

These examples show that environmental protection efforts can be diverse and tailored to local conditions. Let's look at these and other inspirations to draw ideas for actions to protect our planet 

Starting the day with a cup of coffee in hand and exploring the important topics on sustainability and ecology through the 5Mel project is truly a joy. The peaceful atmosphere, a warm drink, and the wealth of knowledge provided by the "Five Matters of Eco-Love" initiative make for a perfect combination. It’s inspiring to see how small, mindful steps can contribute to a better, more sustainable world, and this platform is a wonderful resource for anyone passionate about making a positive impact on our planet. 

#EcoLove #Sustainability #MorningRoutine #5Mel

Beauty in a Sustainable Style - How to Combine Aesthetics with Ecology

A sustainable lifestyle doesn't mean giving up on aesthetics. You can harmoniously blend beauty with ecology by choosing natural materials such as wood, organic cotton, linen, or hemp. Furniture and decorations made from recycled materials look stylish and support environmental protection. The principle of minimalism with class suggests that less is more – it's worth choosing high-quality, durable items and avoiding an excess of things that quickly wear out or go out of fashion. Houseplants add charm to interiors and improve air quality, while responsible fashion means investing in clothes made from eco-friendly materials that support sustainable production practices.

DIY and upcycling are great ways to revive old items and create your own decorations from available materials. Choose natural cosmetics that are skin- and environment-friendly, avoiding products tested on animals. Conscious shopping for local products helps reduce the carbon footprint, and items with eco-certifications ensure sustainable production.

Examples of Best Practices for Environmental Protection

Environmental protection is a task that each of us can engage in. It only takes a few simple changes in our daily lives to contribute to the protection of our planet.

Reducing plastic use is key – choose reusable shopping bags instead of plastic ones, avoid products packaged in single-use plastic, and choose products in glass or metal containers. Saving energy is also important – turn off electronic devices when not in use, replace traditional light bulbs with energy-efficient LEDs, and use smart thermostats and programmable timers.

Reducing water consumption is another step – fix leaking taps, use water-saving showerheads and toilet flushes, and collect rainwater for watering plants. In terms of mobility, use public transport, bicycles, or walk instead of driving. Carpool with others or use car-sharing services, and invest in electric or hybrid cars. Planning grocery shopping, buying local and seasonal products, and opting for quality over quantity help reduce waste.

Eco-Love Guide 

We are excited to announce that our consortium is currently working on the "ECO-Love Guide"! This innovative guide will be available in multiple languages and focus on five modules to promote ecological awareness and engagement:

1. Nature Photography & Photojournalism: Connecting with nature through photography and storytelling.

2. Creative Recycling & Upcycling: Encouraging creativity and eco-consciousness through recycling and upcycling.

3. Nature and Art: Expressing the bond with nature through art.

4. STEAM in Nature: Environmental learning through the STEAM approach.

5. Science & Nature: Delving into the intersection of science and the natural world.

Waste in Europe: Overview of Data

Global plastic production increased from 1.5 million tonnes in 1950 to 359 million tonnes in 2018, with a corresponding increase in plastic waste. Although plastic production fell sharply in the first half of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it quickly increased again in the second half of that year.

In Europe, the most common way of disposing of plastic waste is energy recovery, followed by recycling. About 25% of all plastic waste generated is landfilled. Half of the plastic collected for recycling is exported outside the EU, mainly due to a lack of sufficient capacity, technology, or financial resources to treat waste on-site. In 2020, EU waste exports to non-EU countries amounted to 32.7 million tonnes, primarily to Turkey, India, and Egypt.

Looking for an eco-friendly and fun DIY project? Try painting glass jars! 

This project is a great way to reduce waste and add a personal touch to your home. Share your creations with #5mel_project! 

Creative Recycling in the Project "Five Matters of Eco-Love: beautiful, sustainable and together"

Did you know that recycling can be not only eco-friendly but also beautiful and creative? Our project "Five Matters of Eco-Love" shows how we can create unique items from materials we already have.

Get inspired and join us in discovering new recycling possibilities! Do it with love for our planet and support sustainable development.

• Use old jars to create beautiful lanterns.

• Turn old t-shirts into trendy shopping bags.

• Make unique decorations from cardboard boxes.

Together, we can make a big difference!