The tree planting ceremony held at the Vidikovac rest area overlooking the town marked the beginning of the planting campaign in Vrgorac, one of the three winning cities in this year’s edition of the From the Source to the Sea project. The initiative, aimed at raising awareness about responsible packaging waste disposal and environmental protection, is implemented by Coca-Cola in cooperation with Konzum, the Association of Cities in the Republic of Croatia, and Jutarnji list. Each year, more and more cities join the project.
This year’s From the Source to the Sea began with a public call inviting all interested cities to take part. A total of 32 cities registered for one-day waste collection actions, supported by more than 2,200 volunteers. Together, they collected over 288 tons of waste. Based on the results achieved and the engagement of volunteers, the most successful cities were selected. In the category of small towns (up to 10,000 residents), Vrgorac took first place; among medium-sized cities, Sveta Nedelja came out on top, while Osijek won in the large city category (over 35,000 residents).
“Vrgorac has always been a town that lives in harmony with nature, and that’s why I’m especially proud that through this project we have shown how much we care about our environment,” said Mile Herceg, Mayor of Vrgorac, during the ceremony. He added: “By planting trees, we’re not only creating a greener environment, but also sending a message that each of us can contribute to a cleaner and more beautiful world. I’m particularly glad that new trees will be planted across several locations in our town - from Vidikovac to the promenade, the town Korzo, Hrvatskih Velikana Street, and near the town hall - where they will enrich our surroundings and serve generations to come. My sincere thanks go to all the volunteers, students, associations, and citizens who devoted their time and energy to this effort - this recognition belongs to all of us.”
Coca-Cola launched From the Source to the Sea in Croatia in 2018, in cooperation with government institutions and civil society organizations, with the goal of raising awareness about responsible waste management and the protection of natural resources. So far, 134 waste collection actions have been organized, with nearly 12,000 volunteers participating and 932 tons of waste collected - equivalent to 108 truckloads filled to the top.
Aleksandra Todorović, Community and Customer Relations Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Adria, stated: “We launched From the Source to the Sea to draw attention to the impact of packaging waste on the environment and to promote responsible waste management. Through this initiative, we aim to remind people that packaging has value – and it does not belong in nature. Over the past two years, we have further enriched the project by introducing tree planting in cities, contributing to lower CO₂ emissions and creating greener, more pleasant urban areas. We are proud of all the cities that have joined the initiative, and we extend special congratulations to Vrgorac for this year’s achievement.”
Miranda Filipović, Regional Director for Region South 2 at Konzum, added: “As a socially responsible company, Konzum proudly implements and supports initiatives that contribute to environmental protection and improve the quality of life in our communities - from responsible food management and donations, to using e-receipts and reusable bags to reduce plastic waste. We believe that each of us can make a difference in creating a cleaner and greener environment. From the Source to the Sea is a great example of how local communities and partners can work together toward a common goal. Congratulations to the City of Vrgorac and all the volunteers on this well-deserved success.”
One of the project’s key goals is to support urban afforestation. The winning cities shared a total award of €45,000, which they used to plant trees in locations of their choosing - helping to reduce CO₂ emissions and foster healthier urban environments.
Over the years, Jutarnji list, Konzum, and the Association of Cities in the Republic of Croatia have joined the project as partners. The initiative is also supported by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Green Transition and the Faculty of Forestry and Wood Technology at the University of Zagreb.
