Cooperation to include integration of the animated series on the environment – ECO PLUSPLUS, and developing other media materials for the social campaign

Kyiv, 7 April 2021 – #PaketNePotriben (plastic bags not needed), a national social campaign to cut the use of plastic bags in Ukraine, has been launched on 7 April 2021 with the aim of changing the population’s attitude to plastic products, promote the responsible use and recycling of plastic packaging, and improve the environment in large cities, towns and natural areas.

The campaign is being organized by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources (later – Environment Ministry), the PLUSPLUS TV channel, which is part of the 1+1 media group, and the UN Development Programme (later – UNDP) in Ukraine.

Ivanna Nayda, general producer of niche TV channels of the 1+1 media group, commenting on the cooperation, said it was important for the channel to create projects that meet the needs of the time, the population of Ukraine and the world.

“The environmental situation is currently an important issue for many countries, and we are no exception in this outreach mission,” Nayda said. “We’re glad to have the opportunity to join forces with the (Environment) Ministry and together to promote the development of good environmental habits among both adults and children.”

As part of the partnership in the campaign, PLUSPLUS has developed animated videos to play on the platforms of Kyiv Metro (in plans – on Ukrzaliznytsia stations and in Intercity trains), as well as designing posters for metro lightboards, city lightboards and billboards in Kyiv. The plot of a cartoon about plastic bags from the animated ECO PLUSPLUS series were included in the materials developed.

The Environment Ministry commented that plastic bags and products are a real environmental disaster for the planet. “A few minutes use entails hundreds of years of decomposition of such waste in the environment. More and more countries are focusing on this problem and limiting the use of plastic by citizens in everyday life. Plastic bags contaminate the land and water, kill animals and endanger human health. With the national social campaign #PaketNePotriben, the Environment Ministry, PLUSPLUS and UNDP will strive to make every Ukrainian consider if they really need to use a plastic bag, as well as help children learn good ecological habits and understand the importance of nature conservation from an early age.”

Dafina Gercheva, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Ukraine, said the social campaign steams from UNDP’s core mission of promoting sustainable development in Ukraine and around the world.

“UN studies have shown immense amounts of plastic flowing from Ukraine’s rivers into the Black Sea,” Gercheva said. “Plastic packaging is something we all use, but we don’t have to – there are plenty of eco-friendly alternatives. This social campaign is designed to raise Ukrainians’ awareness that everyone can do something to help build a more sustainable future.”

In December 2020, the PLUSPLUS TV channel partnered with UNDP to promote sustainable development, clean energy and environmentalism. Earlier this month, on 17 March 2021, the Environment Ministry and PLUSPLUS signed a Memorandum of understanding in the development of the #PaketNePotriben social campaign.

Background:

The Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine is the Ukrainian central government’s main authority responsible for ecological monitoring and ensuring the environmentally friendly development of the country.

The PLUSPLUS TV channel is Ukraine’s largest animated entertainment and educational channel for families with children of preschool and school age. The TV channel offers original titles of its own production, top international animations, and edutainment programmes.

UNDP is the leading development agency operating in Ukraine, integrating the efforts of its sister UN agencies across a variety of projects and programmes, including the UN Recovery and Peacebuilding Programme in Ukraine. Through forging partnerships in Ukraine with national, regional, and local governments, civil society, and the private sector, UNDP strives to support the country in its efforts to eliminate poverty, develop people’s capacity, achieve equitable results, sustain the environment, and advance democratic governance.