How recycling saves lives in Ukraine

While the Ukrainian army continues to deflect Russian attacks in the East, common citizens at the home front don’t stand by idly, and do whatever they can to support the defenders of freedom and independence of their country in any way, shape or form available. Multiple volunteer organizations raise funds anywhere they can to purchase equipment, supplies and medications so much needed in the battlefield. One of such organizations called the Ecology Hundred or Eco Hundred has recently obtained their long awaited official status after almost half a year of working from sheer initiative, and continues helping the military in their eco-friendly way. Eco Hundred is a group of environmental activists created right after the Ukrainian Revolution in the early 2014, and was mainly preoccupied with organizing and reforming the recycling of such hazardous waste as luminescent light bulbs, batteries, plastic and other toxic rubbish that pollutes the environment, but also actively helping the army, as are many in Ukraine today. Since August 9th 2014 the group started a campaign of gathering paper waste for pulp recycling under the motto “Recycling Saves Lives!” – which in the case of Eco Hundred can be interpreted quite literally. In the course of six month the activists have purchased thousands of hryvnias worth equipment and supplies for the army with money received from recycling tons of paper waste. Currently, the Eco Hundred is fundraising for the purchase of a professional field paramedic kit, and since February the 14th managed to raise 3143 hryvnias (one hundred US dollars), needing 8000 more for their goal. Their previous contribution of twelve thousand hryvnias this autumn was used for purchasing wound dressings, first aid kits and blood-stopping drugs which were immediately sent to the East and most probably helped saving the lives of hundreds of soldiers wounded with Russian bullets and shells. The group is also constantly shipping fresh fruit and juice to the soldiers, so that they could sustain a vitamin-rich diet and also boost their immune system resistance against the cold and viruses while in the field. The Eco Hundred is also actively working with kids in schools, providing free lectures on ecology. Volunteers have already visited hundreds of schools teaching the children about why recycling is important and how to recycle waste so that it wouldn’t damage the environment, as until today recycling has mostly been implemented practically in the Western Ukraine, and not so much in other regions. As the things seem to be changing, partially thanks to the Eco Hundred members, and also several other environmental groups, who are actively working on creating a system of resource recycling in Ukraine, more and more people seem to be joining the activists in their fight for cleaner future, helping them however they can. “First of all, we have to develop an environmental-friendly mentality, make it part of citizens everyday life”, says one of the volunteers, Natalia, “We’re glad to see that we have numerous supporters everywhere, helping us with our cause. Thus we gladly share our experience and developments with anyone willing to cooperate. Recently a youth group called Ukrainian Greeneration has contributed greatly with our school lectures, and we’re hoping that together we’re gonna make Ukraine a better place to live”. If you want to contribute to the Eco Hundred group, you can visit their facebook page at www.facebook.com/eco.sotnya and learn how you can help the environment and fight Russia at the same time too.