Italia-Croatia

Welcome to the Wastereduce project´s library

This section includes deliverables from the WASTEREDUCE project.

Our goals are to bring together partners, stakeholders, and citizens to share waste management conclusions and recommendations, and to develop joint reports, policies, methodologies, and strategies for waste reduction in protected and Natura 2000 areas.

For additional information, feel free to contact us.

- Methodology for literature review on the effectiveness of behavioral interventions and communication policies

During the activity titled “Methodology for literature review on the effectiveness of behavioral interventions and communication policies aimed at waste reduction and human behavior related to waste disposal/reduction strategies”, a systematic review was conducted on behavioral and informational interventions promoting proper binning and waste reduction at the individual level, including in protected areas. The activity provides evidence-based guidance on the effectiveness of various interventions.

D.1.5.1 Methodology for the implementation of meta analysis and state of the art analysis of human behaviour is the document created as part of this activity, which outlines the steps for conducting a meta-analysis to improve the quality of the analysis for project partners.
 

- Identification of strategies, policies, good practices, and gaps in waste reduction in protected and Natura 2000 areas

During the activity titled “Identification of strategies, policies, good practices, and gaps in waste reduction in protected and Natura 2000 areas”, the focus was on integrating waste management frameworks into Natura 2000 site management plans. The activity aimed to identify strategies, policies, and best practices for waste reduction within these sites and to explore how environmental certification and waste reduction standards, such as EMAS, can be integrated into management plans.

Two key documents were produced:

D.1.7.1 Methodology for identification of strategies, policies, good practices and gaps in waste reduction - a guide to help partners identify and improve waste management strategies.

D.1.7.2 Database of strategies, policies, and good practices in waste reduction - a document that unite all good practices, which will serve to achieve the results of the project, but also after the end of the project will help the institutions that manage protected and Natura 2000 areas in improving waste management.
 

- Conducting in-depth interviews, surveys, and sessions of behavioral observation

During the activity titled “Conducting in-depth interviews, surveys, and sessions of behavioral observation”, the focus was on identifying the needs, opinions, and attitudes of institutions, local stakeholders, and visitors in protected and Natura 2000 areas regarding waste reduction. The activity took place in pilot areas: Middle Brenta River, Sakarun Bay, and the Istrian West Coast. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with local institutions and stakeholders to assess waste-related issues, problematic locations, past actions, and future solutions. Online surveys collected visitors' feedback on their experiences, waste-related services, and opinions on waste reduction actions. Behavioral observation sessions were held in the field to monitor visitors' binning and waste-related behaviors at key locations identified by stakeholders.

Three documents were produced:

D.1.8.1 Methodology for developing /conducting questionnaires, interviews, behavioral observations - a guide for gathering data through interviews, surveys, and observations.

D.1.8.2 Analysis of the opinions and attitudes of the examinees on waste reduction actions - an analysis of stakeholders' views on waste reduction in Natura 2000 areas.

D.1.8.3 Analysis on visitors' binning and waste abandonment behavior - an analysis of visitors' binning behavior and waste disposal habits in protected areas.
 

- Identifying, marking, and mapping locations in pilot protected and Natura 2000 areas where waste is systematically accumulated

During the activity titled “Identifying, marking, and mapping locations in pilot-protected and Natura 2000 areas where waste is systematically accumulated”, the focus was on identifying and mapping solid waste sites, which can cause soil contamination and contribute to pollution. The activity aimed to develop a deep learning model for solid waste mapping using high-resolution remote sensing imagery and apply a GIS-based algorithm to optimize the location and number of storage bins within selected Natura 2000 sites.

The result of this activity are two documents:

D.1.9.1 Methodology for identifying, marking and mapping locations where waste accumulates the most -  a document that presents the current situation and guidelines for further dealing with the locations where the most waste accumulates.

D.1.9.2 Database of a) locations where waste is systematic accumulated and b) types of waste - a document that presents database locations where the waste accumulates the most and identify types of waste.
 

- Development of cross-border strategy based on participatory approach

During the activity titled “Development of cross-border strategy based on participatory approach”, a framework and participatory process were created to implement the WASTEREDUCE strategy at pilot and replication sites. The strategy focused on assessing waste impacts and costs, creating a policy-mix with education, regulation, and incentives, and exploring funding strategies such as polluter-pay principles and environmental tariffs. The activity involved developing a methodological framework, adapting it locally with Etifor's support for data collection, and creating a strategy for each pilot site. 

Three documents were produced during this activity:

D.1.11.1 Participatory methodological framework for the WASTEREDUCE strategies - a framework and template to guide pilot and replication sites through the strategy development, covering intervention logic, cost analysis, and funding strategy for implementing activities.

D.1.11.2 Report on the developed strategies for each pilot - a report summarizing and organizing the strategies developed for each site, detailing all components for implementation in subsequent work packages.

D.1.11.3 The environmental and social waste costs and innovative financing strategies for waste management - a report assessing the environmental costs of waste based on data from literature and pilot sites, including a summary of direct costs and financing strategies for waste reduction.
 

Awareness raising and pilot activities

Within the work package “Awareness raising and pilot activities”, our main specific objective is the implementation and testing of best practices and identified approaches. This objective is reflected in the following documents, which represent the main outputs of this work package: “Training tours and workshops”, “Waste reduction action plan”, “Pilot actions”, and the “Report on methodologies, research and solutions on waste issues and the involvement of civil society”.

Activities carried out within this work package, as well as individual documents developed as part of the activities, are presented below.

- Preparation of communication and dissemination of content, and informing the public about the project

During the activity titled "Preparation of communication and dissemination of content, and informing the public about the project," we focused on sharing information about the project with the public through various channels. 

D.2.3.3 Library of short interviews and videos - is a collection of audio-visual content that supports project communication and engagement, offering stakeholders an accessible and engaging way to learn about the project.

- Implementation of solutions for waste sorting and disposal adapted to the specifics of protected and Natura 2000 areas disposal

During the activity titled “Implementation of solutions for waste sorting and disposal adapted to the specifics of protected and Natura 2000 areas disposal”, the focus was on applying integrated waste management solutions tailored to sensitive natural areas. Through a combination of technical innovations (such as D-POL), sustainable consumption measures (such as reusable cups), and digital monitoring systems (including surveillance and reporting tools), the project provides a replicable model for other regions.

One  document was produced during this activity:
D2.8.1. Solutions aimed to waste sorting and disposal - This document describes how pilot protected areas and Natura 2000 areas implemented solutions aimed at waste sorting. This document includes descriptions of three pilot areas of the project (Sakarun Bay, Middle Brenta River, West Coast of Istria).

- Establishing WASTEREDUCE pilot areas with the implemented WASTEREDUCE approach

During the activity titled “Establishing WASTEREDUCE pilot areas with the implemented WASTEREDUCE approach”, the actions and activities carried out within the WASTEREDUCE framework were translated into site-specific strategies.
 
One document was produced during this activity:
D.2.9.1 Established WASTEREDUCE pilot areas - This document describes the establishment of WASTEREDUCE pilot areas and the practical implementation of the WASTEREDUCE approach at three pilot areas: Sakarun Bay, Coastal Istria, and the Middle Brenta Area. 
 

- Surveillance and monitoring at locations where waste is systematically accumulated in WASTEREDUCE protected and Natura 2000 pilot areas

During the activity titled “Surveillance and monitoring at locations where waste is systematically accumulated in WASTEREDUCE protected and Natura 2000 pilot areas”, the focus was on applying a UAV-based approach with very high-resolution hyperspectral imagery and deep learning algorithms to directly detect, map, and accurately delineate solid waste sites, enabling precise monitoring and assessment of waste accumulation in the pilot areas. 

Four documents were produced during this activity:

D.2.13.2 Conducted image analysis for the identification and monitoring of waste disposal sites – Identification of waste deposition areas using remote sensing.

D.2.13.3 Developed and tested method of monitoring the marine environment by analyzing satellite images – Combined desk and field approach with sample calibration at sea to monitor marine waste, eutrophication, and other pressures, based primarily on satellite image analysis.

D.2.13.4 Conducted scientific research on microplastics in the marine environment and coast – Assessment of microwaste in the food chain and its potential impact on human health; results will be publicly communicated and highlighted in local awareness campaigns.

D.2.13.5 Conducted scientific research on existing and planned wastewater treatment facilities – Evaluation of current wastewater treatment effectiveness regarding microplastics and assessment of planned or newly installed facilities.