The RECAL Foundation Programme; an example of ecological education in Poland

The issue of municipal waste management is becoming more and more topical in Poland due to its increasing volume, the current lack of an efficient waste management system and the low public awareness of the situation. In 1995 the Foundation of Aluminium Package Recovery (RECAL) was established to promote better methods of aluminium recycling. RECAL comprises the ‘School Can Programme’ and provides technical and educational assistance to municipalities. The Foundation supplies schools and municipalities with informative educational materials on waste management (aluminium recycling included), carton containers and bags for aluminium cans, selection magnets and lists of local collecting depots. The RECAL Programme has succeeded in raising public awareness and increasing in aluminium tonnage for recycling purposes in various regions of Poland. The details of the programme, its impact and effectiveness on the public will be discussed in this paper.