Giving plastic a second life: Mykolaiv Zoo hosts an environmental campaign
- News of Mykolaiv
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- Iryna Olekhnovych
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11:42, 24 October, 2025
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVestiOn the occasion of the Black Sea Day, the Mykolaiv Zoo held a traditional environmental campaign to collect plastic lids for further recycling. All proceeds from the sale of plastic products will be used to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
A reporter from NikVesti visited the site.
The collection of plastic in the Mykolaiv Zoo has been going on for several years. The ecological tradition was started by the charity organisation «Kinburn», which installed a special sculpture in the shape of a large iron fish, where concerned Mykolaiv residents and visitors can leave unwanted bottle caps. A similar structure was previously installed on the Kinburn Spit.
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVestiAccording to the organisers, the main goal of the project is to engage both children and adults in waste sorting and to foster a careful attitude to nature, especially marine life. In addition, all proceeds from the sale of recycled plastic will be donated to help Ukrainian defenders.
«Traditionally, in the last weeks of October, we carry out this campaign with the youngsters of the zoo. We give these lids a second life by redirecting them for recycling. In recent years, we have been sending the money we have received (from recycling) to help the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This is the way it should be. With this event, we want to draw attention to the problems of the Black Sea and form environmental awareness among the younger generation of citizens and guests of Mykolaiv,» said Mykola Hrubyi, head of the NGO «Kinburn».
On 23 October, an environmental campaign to collect plastic was held at the Mykolaiv Zoo. Photo: NikVestiAccording to him, plastic from bottle caps is a valuable material with a wide range of uses. However, there are currently no companies in Mykolaiv that recycle it.
«In general, this plastic is a pretty good material — it has many uses. These lids, which are recycled by companies in Odesa and Dnipro regions, are used to make souvenirs, benches and paving slabs. All of this is then sold and funds are transferred for social needs. Unfortunately, there is no such thing in Mykolaiv yet,» said Mykola Hrubyi.
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVestiYoung naturalists of the zoo and their parents also joined the environmental and educational campaign. One of the participants, schoolgirl Veronika, shared her impressions.
«Today's event is important because when we collect the lids, we do not pollute nature, in particular, there is less polluted air,» the girl said.
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVestiShe said that recycling is an important part of her everyday life.
«At home, we sort the garbage and take it to the appropriate bins. And when we were at school, we also held such important environmental events,» Veronika said.
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVestiA total of about 250 kilograms of plastic was collected during this year's campaign.
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVesti
On 23 October, the Mykolaiv Zoo held an environmental campaign to collect plastic. Photo: NikVestiRead more about the current state of the occupied Kinburn Spit and whether it has a chance to recover from the war in the article NikVesti: «We must leave nature alone». Does the Kinburn Reserve have a chance for recovery?»
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