The renowned Limassol Wine Festival is the first event in Cyprus to initiate the Zero Waste Events Certification process with Mission Zero Academy (MiZA).
According to a press release from ‘Friends of the Earth Cyprus’, Limassol Municipality has partnered with ‘Friends of the Earth Cyprus’ to pursue MiZA’s zero-waste certification, aiming to transform the festival into a model of sustainability.
‘This initiative marks the beginning of an important journey aiming to drastically reduce the waste generated during the event’, says the non-governmental organisation.
It is furthermore added that the road to zero waste started with a comprehensive Waste Baseline Assessment – an evaluation which assesses a municipality’s current waste management practices – carried out by MiZA, supported by Friends of the Earth Cyprus. By gathering this data, MiZA will in the first stage, propose tailored strategies, focusing on waste prevention and reuse.
However, the final solutions will be co-created with the City Council, the
Cultural Department, the NetZeroCities Mission and other stakeholders, for a customised plan that addresses the unique waste challenges of the festival, ensuring that both short- and long-term strategies are aligned with our local needs and resources.
Key Initiatives already implemented this year include installation of a water refill station in the Municipal Garden, providing visitors with filtered cold water at all times, installation of recycling bins and separate waste sorting areas and enhanced signage (nudges) to guide festival visitors on how to properly dispose of waste.
‘By setting the foundation for this transformation, Limassol Wine Festival is leading by example. The goal is to significantly reduce waste production, foster a culture of reusing, and support the municipality’s broader sustainability efforts for climate neutrality by 2030’, it is added.
Director of MiZA, Kaisa Karjalainen, said that this was the first organisation in Cyprus to take waste management on with ambition.
‘Conducting o
ur waste baseline assessment on the ground has been a rewarding use of our time because we now have a clear path forward with Limassol Wine Festival to create an example for future events in Cyprus,’ Karjalainen added.
Project Manager at Friends of the Earth Cyprus, Sara Mariza Vryonidi said that transforming the Limassol Wine Festival into a zero-waste event was a move that aligns with the city’s push for climate neutrality by 2030.
‘In a region facing environmental challenges, this festival is setting a new standard for sustainability. It’s not just about reducing waste-it’s about leading the way in making large-scale cultural events part of Limassol’s green future,’ she said.
The certification’s long-term goals include introducing reusable cups and cutlery, promoting sustainable vendor packaging, reducing food waste, and implementing bio-waste management.
The journey of the Wine Festival to a zero waste festival is supported by the ERIC project of Friends of the Earth, and supported by the Organisation
Lemesos 2030 European Capital of Culture Candidate City.
Source: Cyprus News Agency