NEWSLETTER FOR 1th HALF OF 2017

Although it was very challenging, the 2016 was very successful and we are proud of our greatest achievements:

- The Ordinance on Packaging and Packaging Waste Management, which the Ministry revoked in early 2016, was again put into force. By this way, the System of "Extended Producer Responsibility" has been preserved, Packaging Recovery Organisations have been saved and the monopoly of the Federal Environmental Protection Fund has been stopped. It left manufacturers and importers the possibility to choose to fulfill legal obligations through the Recovery Organisation or the Fund, which retained a well established packaging waste collection and recycling scheme between public utility companies and private collectors.

- after a series of controls by various institutions, and by providing extensive documentation to the Ministry, Ekopak proved that lawful, transparent and systematic work can not be denied and that Ekopak fulfills all the prescribed license requirements for the packaging recovery organisation, which is after a successful five-year cycle from 2012-2016, now extended for the period from 01.01.2017. until 31.12.2021.

- although the Ordinance was revoked for almost half a year, thanks to excellent cooperation with public utility companies and private collectors, Ekopak fulfilled the prescribed goals for recycling and reuse of all types of packaging materials: plastics, paper, metal, glass, wood, multilayer packaging and packaging from of hazardous substances.

The first half of 2017 in Ekopak passed in a cheerful and working atmosphere, we implemented a number of educational and promotional activities, and most importantly - trucks of the collected packaging waste materials have already finished on recycling.

From the educational projects, we highlight the project of international character "Young Eco Reporters", which was thanks to Ekopak the first time realized in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are proud of the fact that young people from 42 secondary schools from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina took part in the project, who, as real reporters, identified environmental problems in their environments, which were shown through more than 70 artworks, videos, photo reports and thus sent a message about their awareness of the importance of environmental protection. The most successful are awarded, and the project will be continued in the next school year through other forms of raising the awareness of the youngest population in our country.

Launching the recycling yard in the Kakanj Municipality, the distributon of a bags for separate packaging waste disposal in households in the Breza Municipality, and the workshop for teaching staff of school institutions in the Municipality of Vitez,  were activities that marked this period in order to improve the Green Dot System for recycling of packaging waste, which Ekopak has so far established in 17 municipalities in the Federation and Canton of Sarajevo.

We also paid attention to our youngest Ekopak's children, whose education is the future of the clean environment of Bosnia and Herzegovina, where we highlight activities:

- Zenica's toddlers celebrated the arrival of spring with mascot "Zekopak"

- Young Taekwondo Athletes and Ekopak aiming to recycle packaging waste

- Young ecologists from Elementary School "Porodice ef. Ramic" in Semizovac, visited the recycling yard of Company "Aida Commerce"

- June 5th - World Environment Day celebrated with youth in Breza

- Children's party held in Mostar: "Recycle Packaging, Save the Environment"

In order to increase the awareness about the importance of environmental protection among citizens, we participated in the manifestations "Merkur Run4lifestyle", the first night race in Sarajevo, and the cleaning action "Clean and beautiful Vogosca Municipality" which is attended by more than 1,000 volunteers.

Ekopak thanks to all the clients, associates and business partners for their trust and support, and looks forward to all future projects and the continuation of successful cooperation!

A detailed overview of our activities can be found below.

To our next newsletter we warmly welcome you and wish you a pleasant summer

Sincerely yours,

Ekopak