A record number of 86local activities have been registered for the 2014 edition of the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR). These are being organised by 61 different entities including schools, NGOs, businesses, local councils, ministries and individual citizens. All actions will take place between the 22nd and 30thNovember.
Launched in Europe in 2009, the EWWR came to Malta in 2010 when WasteServ took on the role of local organiser. The event has been increasing in popularity ever since, with more and more organisations choosing to hold a waste-themed event during the dedicated week.
Participants this year were encouraged to focus on initiatives that raise awareness on food waste reduction, given the special edition taking place across Europe: 'Stop Food Waste'. Activities organised by WasteServ include the "Love your Leftovers Challenge" - a recipe competition currently running on social media, as well as workshops on food waste and composting in collaboration with a number of schools and NGOs.
In order to recognise the efforts of local participants, for the second consecutive year WasteServ will be organising the Waste Reduction Awards to reward the best entries in seven different categories, including 5 awards for waste prevention initiatives undertaken during the EWWR, a Recycling Best Practice Award and a Food Waste Reduction Award. The award ceremony will be held in the first months of 2015. The best participants in each category will also be nominated for the European Waste Reduction Awards, thus entering the chance to win the prestigious European title from among thousands of participants across Europe.