CommunityBelgradePublic drinking fountains as urban water commonsBlue dots on the city map: free water and heat resilience Across Serbia, javne česme (public fountains) are reopening each spring, heritage infrastructure that doubles as climate adaptation. Refill stations cut single-use plastic, offer free hydration during heat waves, and anchor neighbourhood gathering spots when maintained and tested. What you can do - Residents: locate your nearest public fountain, carry a reusable bottle, and report broken taps to the local utility or health institute - Neighbourhood groups: map fountains in your district and advocate for repairs, signage, and water-quality transparency - Municipalities: treat fountains as public-health infrastructure, regular testing, winter maintenance, and new installations in heat-exposed zones How it works Most urban fountains connect to municipal water networks; Belgrade also lists dozens of spring-fed fountains monitored by the city public-health institute. Quality data should be published before peak summer use. Why it matters Accessible water is a solarpunk baseline: low-tech, shared, and life-sustaining. Every working fountain is a small act of care for the whole neighbourhood. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. Source: Klima 101 · Article: Public fountains in Serbia, underused resource, uneven maintenance.waterfountainsheatplastic-freeurban
CommunityLyonLyon Zero Plastic Prevention Plan (ERIC project)A metropolitan plastic plan built with citizens Lyon Métropole (1.4 million inhabitants) adopted a Zero Plastic Prevention Plan (PPP) in partnership with Zero Waste France through the EU ERIC (Elevating Reuse In Cities) project. The plan sets plastic reduction targets, defines public communication strategies to mobilise residents, and establishes zero-plastic public procurement charters for the metropolitan authority. What the plan covers - Plastic prevention targets for the Lyon metropolitan area - Communication campaigns to engage residents in reducing single-use plastic - Reuse systems for take-away and public-event contexts, trialled via CITEO funding - Zero-plastic procurement charters for city contracts and events - Knowledge exchange with Bordeaux and Nantes through the shared ERIC programme How to engage - Follow Zero Waste France for updates on the Lyon PPP implementation and citizen participation phases - Contact your arrondissement council to ask how the PPP affects local markets and events near you - Join public events coordinated through the European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR): Lyon hosted 120+ events in 2024 Why it matters Lyon's PPP is one of three flagship French cities in the ERIC project, alongside Bordeaux and Nantes. A working model at metropolitan scale creates the evidence base that other French agglomerations need to adopt similar plans: and demonstrates that plastic prevention at 1.4 million inhabitants is achievable. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead organisation: Zero Waste France - ERIC project: Elevating Reuse In Cities - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionplastic-freepolicypreventionplanERIC
CommunityNicosiaNicosia Plastic Prevention Plan: ERIC project on the islandCyprus's capital building a plastic prevention strategy Friends of the Earth Cyprus works with the Municipality of Nicosia to develop a Plastic Prevention Plan through the EU ERIC (Elevating Reuse In Cities) project: covering waste management at public events and establishing a broader city-wide resource strategy. Nicosia's plan is part of the same network that connects Lyon, Bordeaux, Nantes, and Skiathos, giving Cyprus direct access to European best practices in plastic reduction. What the Nicosia plan covers - Plastic prevention targets for events and public spaces in Nicosia - Review of public procurement to reduce single-use plastics in municipal services - Communication campaigns to engage residents and event organisers - Knowledge exchange with other ERIC cities in France, Greece, and beyond How to engage - Nicosia residents: follow Friends of the Earth Cyprus for announcements on public consultation phases of the Plastic Prevention Plan - Event organisers in Nicosia: contact FoE Cyprus to learn how the ERIC project's event standards apply to your event - Cyprus-wide: the Nicosia plan sets a precedent: ask your own municipal council whether it will develop a similar plan Why it matters Cyprus has no Zero Waste certified or candidate cities, and PAYT has been delayed. The Nicosia Plastic Prevention Plan shows that progress is possible through voluntary commitment and EU project infrastructure even when national policy is slow. Source & repost Shared here so you can get inspired or find action already happening near you. Solarpunker does not own or organise it. - Lead: Friends of the Earth Cyprus + Municipality of Nicosia - ERIC project: Elevating Reuse In Cities - Report chapter: ZWE State of Zero Waste Municipalities, 5th editionplastic-freepreventionpolicyERICNicosia
