How Does Reuse, Reduce, Recycle Work in Macedonia?
Understand the green initiative of Pakomak, a Macedonian company, which is striving to make business more sustainable and read about their reverse vending machines!
Country
Authorship/Creative Team
Youth board Macedonian team;
Designer:
Kristina Gashtarova
Researchers:
Nikola Kristjan Cenov, Simona Zlatanovska, Filip Davchev
Sources
In the following, we will explain how the North Macedonian recycling system works. The company "PAKOMAK" consists of the 11 leading production companies in North Macedonia.
They are open to other companies that have the obligation to manage their packaging waste and are aware of their social responsibility to ensure a healthier environment.
Its mission is to provide customers with responsible, efficient and cost-effective
management of their packaging waste in accordance with their legal obligations.
"Sound of Green” is an eco-festival organised by them, where tickets can be obtained in exchange for three empty plastic bottles of any size. This entry mechanism aims to encourage young people to think about the environment and remind them that small changes in their habits can make a difference.
The new recycling system
Pakomak is the first Macedonian company to introduce the latest global trend in waste selection in the Republic of North Macedonia – reverse vending machines for the collection of plastic bottles and cans. With the new refundable vending machines, citizens will be able to dispose of packaging waste and in return receive "green points” for purchasing products.
The main objective of these machines is to increase the possibility of selective waste disposal, especially in urban areas.
The app allows users to collect points and use them as vouchers in stores. It is part of a larger ecosystem where the user uses the app to authenticate with a vending machine and collect points for the bottle of waste. Citizens receive the real value of the material they choose, i.e. the market value. If the price of plastic and cans goes up, the point will also go up.
