Lidl a premier sponsor of ‘Let’s do it! Cyprus 2021’ clean-up campaign

Lidl Cyprus is supporting the Pancyprian clean-up campaign “Let’s do it! Cyprus” as a premier sponsor, in keeping within the framework of its environment-focused CSR.

Organised by the Together Cyprus Volunteer Network, in collaboration with the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment, the campaign will run during October 25-31.

As it did last year, the campaign will run with an emphasis on individual initiative and responsibility in open-air settings, respecting all Covid-19-related health regulations.

The aim of this year’s “Let’s do it! Cyprus” campaign is to raise public awareness on issues related to the protection, conservation and sustainable management of the island’s terrestrial and marine environment.

The start of the campaign was announced at a press conference held earlier this week, on Monday, October 18, at the Amphitheatre of the Press and Information Office. The campaign goal is to secure the participation and sharing of information to the largest possible percentage of the population, in order to break the 50,000 volunteer mark.

Speaking at the event, Environment Commissioner Klelia Vassiliou noted that “it is our great pleasure to organise campaigns that highlight the value of volunteering, the way people persevere, participate and love this place.

“On behalf of the Office of the Commissioner for the Environment, our intention is to interact, to use modern means, in order to be able to identify environmental problems and intervene properly,” she added.

On behalf of the Together Cyprus Volunteer Network, its president Andreas Angelis stated that: “with this year’s slogan [#inyourhands], we wanted to find a clever way to remind the world that this campaign can’t be done without the help of all of us.

“However, our campaign isn’t only about a short-lived clean-up; it’s also about a timeless perception and respect towards the environment and the way we treat it,” he continued. “Therefore #inyourhands also maintains the philosophy that, in order to change this world, we must first change what we truly do, in order to improve our quality of life.”

Actively contributing to the campaign, representatives of Lidl Cyprus’ 18 stores, logistics centres and headquarters, along with partners and volunteers, will come together in selected locations in all cities of Cyprus, to join forces in helping protect the island’s environment.

“Through the Pancyprian Clean-up Campaign, our intention is to raise awareness and mobilise the entire Cypriot society,” said Lidl Cyprus CSR specialist Evelina Syrigou. “We work with the Together Cyprus Volunteer Network to support any initiative that helps reduce the reckless use of plastic and promote a circular economy.

“At the same time, we are activating corporate volunteering and making an open call for participation.”

The Let’s do it! Cyprus campaign, is part of REset Plastic, the Schwarz group’s international strategy for plastics, in which Lidl Cyprus participates – specifically in terms of the actions REmove and REcycle.

REset Plastic and its five fields of action

REduce
Wherever possible and sustainable, the use of plastic is avoided. Lidl’s reusable mesh bags for fruits and vegetables are a way of creating a sustainable alternative to plastic bags.

REdesign
Lidl designs products and packaging that are recyclable and foster closed-loop systems. The company has already reduced plastic in a lot of packaging, increased its recyclability or is using recycled plastic. The logo “packaging responsibly” makes this transparent for Lidl customers.

REcycle
Lidl collects, sorts and recycles, plastic, thus closing the loop for materials. Today, almost all of the recyclables in Lidl storage facilities are sorted separately, making it possible to recycle old plastic wrapping material into new trash bags.

REmove

Lidl provides support in removing plastic from the environment.  Together with cooperation partners, “Project Stop” and “One Earth – One Ocean e.V.” Lidl contributes to plastic-free oceans and rivers. This engagement also includes local projects in countries where Lidl is active.

REsearch

Lidl invests in research and development of innovative solutions and provides information on recycling and resource conservation. The company is a signatory of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation Global Commitment, which is a strong sign of its vision for a globally-functioning circular economy.

Learn more about Lidl’s green commitments at: https://lidl.com.cy/plastic

Join the campaign at www.togethercyprus.org

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