The project contributes to prevention of the release of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the environment through the improvement of green chemistry (GC) initiatives in the plastic industry.
The set of tailor-made activities intends to develop a platform for collaboration between educational institutions and plastic manufacturing companies, ensuring that international experience, practical examples and new developments in the field are accessible.
Selected industries will be in the position to embrace green chemical principles by implementing proposed technical guidelines and tools in their technological process resulting in the replacement of specific pollutants.
Specific objectives include:
- Increased knowledge of plastic manufacturing industry and higher education centres about GC principles and best practices in the EU;
- Established GC collaboration cluster of higher education institutions and plastic manufacturing companies;
- Successful implementation of GC plans in plastic manufacturing industries targeting replacement of at least 5 t of C-PBDE and at least 5 t of SCCP annually;
- Identified green chemistry opportunities to support a circular economy development and the role of green chemistry in the circular economy.
The project will be supported by the continuous communication activities as to:
- Disseminate ready-to-use information to all audiences on the green chemistry, standards and best practices on sustainable use of resources through GC concept and opportunities to invest in sustainable planning and business;
- Engage all relevant stakeholders in capacity building and networking that can pave the way for larger investments in the sector.
The project entails implementation of the following activities:
- Conducting screening of plastic manufacturing companies and develop methodology and selection criteria for participation in capacity building and trainings
- Developing and conducting a two-module capacity building program for industries and facilitators
- Developing technical tools and technical guidance on the introduction of Green Chemistry in the plastic manufacturing industry
- Site visits and environmental audits in 20 manufacturing plants and selection of GC practical interventions plants
- Prepare a green chemistry implementation plan for replacement of C-PBDE and SCCP
- Implementation and progress monitoring of the GC activities
- Establish a GC cluster of plastic manufacturers and higher education institutions
- Project dissemination, communication and visibility.
The project represents a project component 3 of the project Environmentally Sound Management of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Industrial and Hazardous Waste Sectors in BiH, implemented by UNDP BiH and financed by the Government of Sweden.