Tree planting has begun in Brezje Park, marking the final phase of activities for the From the Source to the Sea project in Sveta Nedelja, this year’s winner in the medium-sized cities category. The project, organized by Coca-Cola in partnership with Konzum, the Association of Cities in the Republic of Croatia, and Jutarnji list, aims to encourage citizens to responsibly dispose of packaging waste and take better care of the environment. Each year, an increasing number of cities join the initiative.
This year’s From the Source to the Sea project saw participation from 32 cities, which organized local clean-up campaigns. With the help of more than 2,200 volunteers, almost 288 tons of packaging waste were collected. The amount of collected waste, along with the number and dedication of volunteers, determined the winning cities: Vrgorac in the small city category, Sveta Nedelja among medium-sized cities, and Osijek among large cities.
“Through the waste we collected and the tremendous effort of everyone involved, we sent a powerful message about the importance of unity in protecting our environment. Once again, Sveta Nedelja has shown that we value environmental protection not just in words, but through action. I sincerely thank all the volunteers, citizens, and partners who selflessly took part in cleaning our forests. By winning this project, we secured €15,000 for tree planting, which will help beautify our city and contribute to a healthier environment. Thank you for making Sveta Nedelja a proud example of sustainability,” said Mario Pšeničnjak, Deputy Mayor of Sveta Nedelja.
Coca-Cola has been running the From the Source to the Sea project in Croatia since 2018, in cooperation with government institutions and civil society organizations, with the goal of promoting responsible waste management and the preservation of natural resources. Since its launch, 134 clean-up actions have been held, involving nearly 12,000 volunteers. In total, an impressive 932 tons of waste have been collected - enough to fill 108 trucks.
“Through From the Source to the Sea, we aim to inspire change that starts within local communities -encouraging responsible handling of packaging, proper waste disposal, and care for public spaces. By planting trees, we’re making a long-term contribution to healthier and more pleasant urban environments across Croatia. We thank all the volunteers and partners who made this project a success and extend our warmest congratulations to Sveta Nedelja for this year’s win,” said Vedran Bičanić, Regional Sales Manager for the Zagreb area at Coca-Cola HBC Croatia.
Addressing attendees at the tree-planting ceremony, Mario Došen, Regional Manager at Konzum, said:
“As a socially responsible company, Konzum is proud to take part in projects that help protect the environment and improve the quality of life in our communities. Through our efforts to reduce food waste and donate food, promote e-receipts, and encourage the use of reusable bags, we’re striving to reduce waste and show that each of us can contribute to a greener, cleaner world. From the Source to the Sea is an excellent example of what can be achieved when local communities and partners work together. We sincerely congratulate the City of Sveta Nedelja and all the volunteers on this well-deserved success.”
One of the key goals of the From the Source to the Sea project is to promote urban afforestation. The winning cities shared a total prize of €45,000, which they will use to plant trees in locations of their choice. This initiative will significantly help reduce CO₂ emissions, improve environmental quality, and enhance the overall well-being of citizens.
Over the years, Jutarnji list, Konzum, and the Association of Cities in the Republic of Croatia have joined the project, with support from the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at the University of Zagreb.
