Propark – Foundation for Protected Areas, together with Carpaterra Association and the Romanian Wilderness Society, officially launches the project “Clean Olt – Roots for the Future”, an extensive initiative aimed at tackling plastic pollution in critical areas of the Olt River through clean-up actions, environmental education, and community engagement.

The project will be implemented between May 2025 and January 2026 in the counties of Brașov and Covasna, in the communities of Hărman, Ilieni, Prejmer, and Chichiș. These areas were chosen due to the high levels of pollution along the Olt River banks and their significant ecological value – being located near the Natura 2000 site ROSCI0329 and the Hărman Marshes Protected Area.

The initiative brings together communities, students, authorities, and experts in a joint effort focused on education, clean-up activities, and environmental responsibility.

“We initiated this project because, in the upstream section of the Olt River in Brașov and Covasna counties, plastic pollution has become a critical issue – visible not only in the landscape but also in the health of ecosystems and communities. We believe sustainable solutions come from genuine involvement: students learning about nature, teachers becoming environmental educators, and authorities collaborating in tangible ways. Through this project, we aim not only to clean the Olt’s banks but also to plant the roots for a cleaner, more responsible future.”
— Andra Hăgătiș, Project Manager, Propark – Foundation for Protected Areas

 

Why is this project necessary?

The targeted river section passes through the Natura 2000 site ROSCI0329 and the Hărman Marshes Protected Area – both areas of exceptional ecological importance. In the absence of an efficient waste management system and due to low public awareness, massive accumulations of plastic have formed, threatening both biodiversity and the quality of life for local residents.

The project proposes an integrated solution, tailored to the real needs of local communities and ecosystems. Actions are designed to deliver immediate impact while leaving behind a model for sustainable engagement.

Key activities:

·       Clean-up of at least 10 km of riverbanks, in partnership with local authorities and with the support of community volunteers, focusing on critical points where plastic and waste accumulation threatens biodiversity and water quality.

·       Educational programme for 150 students from 4 riverside schools (Ilieni, Chichiș, Hărman, Prejmer). Students will “adopt” a 1 km stretch of the river, which they will monitor and protect while learning about pollution, aquatic ecosystems, and creative recycling through workshops and hands-on nature activities.

·       Training for 20 teachers as nature educators, through a specialised course offering modern methods and educational tools. These teachers will become long-term resources for their schools, contributing to ongoing environmental education, including during Green Week or School Otherwise programmes.

·       Creation of an educational nature trail along the Olt, with information panels about biodiversity, the river’s ecological importance, and the challenges of plastic pollution. This trail will serve as a permanent educational and awareness tool for students, locals, and tourists.

·       Introduction of modern monitoring technologies, such as cameras, camera traps, and sensors, to observe wildlife and assess water quality. These innovations will be integrated into educational activities, bridging science, conservation, and active learning.

·       Organisation of “Clean Water Week”, bringing together hundreds of participants from the region for educational and recreational activities: eco-local fairs, workshops, multimedia screenings, themed sports competitions, creative recycling sessions, and robotics workshops for environmental solutions.

A model for replication

Beyond its direct impact on the Olt River banks and participating communities, the project aims to develop a replicable model of action: clean-up – education – local engagement. The educational infrastructure will be taken over by schools, and trained teachers will continue environmental education long after the project ends.

Partnership and funding

The project is implemented by:

·       Propark – Foundation for Protected Areas – project coordinator and educational development

·       Carpaterra Association – expertise in waste management and local collaboration

·       Romanian Wilderness Society – environmental education and wildlife activities

Clean Olt – Roots for the Future is part of the With Clean Waters programme, implemented with the support of Lidl Romania, in partnership with MaiMultVerde Association and the Association for Community Relations.

The programme calls on community members and local authorities to engage in combating and preventing plastic pollution in the Danube and its tributaries.

This grant programme is part of the With Clean Waters initiative, supported by Lidl Romania, contributing to the objectives of the REset Plastic strategy of the Schwarz Group, of which the retailer is a member. The strategy aims to eliminate plastic use wherever possible and sustainable, design recyclable products to close the loop, collect, sort, and recycle waste, and raise awareness of the impact of plastic pollution on nature.

By thinking globally and acting locally, Lidl Romania consistently addresses the challenges posed by plastic waste. All environmental protection and plastic reduction measures taken by Lidl Romania are available in the company’s sustainability reports at www.corporate.lidl.ro.