On July 2, researchers of the Nature Branch of the Transcarpathian Regional Museum of Local Lore named after T. Lehotsky, organized a workshop in collaboration with the Institute of Ecological and Religious Studies and the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe. The workshop was intended for internally displaced children and children from extended families to educate them about the impact of plastic on biodiversity. This event, held on the eve of World Plastic Free Day (celebrated on July 3), aimed to inspire children, their parents, and friends to forgo plastic bags for at least one day and opt for canvas bags instead.

Ruslana Dzhahman, a researcher at the Nature Branch, highlighted the environmental damage caused by household waste, particularly plastic. Through photographs, the children were shown bird nests made of polyethylene, polluted water bodies, and forests cluttered with plastic bottles and bags, illustrating the severe impact on natural landscapes.

Mykhailo Bilanych, Head of the Nature Branch, conducted a session on waste sorting, using “Towards ZERO WASTE” lapbooks created by IERS experts to explain the process. The children learned about the fundamental principles of the international “ZERO WASTE” movement: refusing waste, reusing items, sorting waste, and recycling.

Additionally, each participant had the opportunity to paint an eco-bag, creating their own designer and practical item. IRCEF staff provided the materials and blanks for the museum. The children were inspired by the examples of eco-bags shown by Mrs. Ruslana during her introductory lecture. The participants also shared their experiences of sorting garbage and reusing items at home.

Karolina, a participant who relocated from Donetsk Oblast to Uzhhorod at the beginning of the war, expressed her enjoyment of the event. She mentioned that they engaged in different activities such as sorting garbage and painting eco-bags. Additionally, Karolina shared that the bag she painted was the first one she had decorated personally. The session concluded with a tour of the Nature of Transcarpathia exhibition.

The event was held in the framework of cooperation between the Interreligious and Civil Environmental Forum of Eastern Europe (IRCEF) headed by Olexander Bokotey) and the German Nature Conservation Union (NABU Bundesverband, NABU International), project coordinators  Ivan Tymofeiev (NABU), and Nataliya Kulya (IRCEF).

Ruslana Dzhahman, Senior Research Fellow of the Nature Branch and IERS expert