Energia - Środowisko
Dodatek promocyjno-reklamowy do "RZECZPOSPOLITEJ".
21 grudnia 2005 r.

Łężyce Eco-Valley

Interview with Sabina Kowalska, Chairman of the Board, Zakład Unieszkodliwiania Odpadów Eko Dolina Sp. z o.o.

Near the Tri-City agglomeration, in direct proximity to Sopot, Gdynia, Rumia, Reda, Wejherowo and Kossakowo in the village of Łężyce operates Zakład Unieszkodliwiania Odpadów Eko Dolina Sp. z o.o. (Waste Neutralization Plant "Eco-Valley" Ltd in Łężyce). The construction of the plant was co-financed under the ISPA European Union fund which contributed around 15 million euros, i.e. 72% of the project's eligible costs.

Does the name of your company point at the current trend to fight against landfills or is it merely a marketing gimmick?

Initially the company was called Zakład Unieszkodliwiania Odpadów Sp. z o.o. (Waste Neutralization Plant Ltd), however, this name did not correspond fully with its actual mission. Unfortunately, since the old landfill had been in operation for many years, Zakład Unieszkodliwiania Odpadów Łężyce was erroneously referred to as the landfill. Despite our explanations that waste neutralization and recycling means waste segregation and generation of recyclables or bio-gas, we did not manage to cut off from the past. That is why we decided to modify the company's name to emphasize its pro-ecological mission. Our waste management plant was established thanks to the efforts made by the Association of Municipalities "The valley of Reda and Chylonka" (embracing Gdynia, Sopot, Rumia, Reda, Wejherowo and the municipalities of Kossakowo and Wejherowo) to address the problem of an old landfill in Łężyce which required immediate closure and reclamation. After many years of search for location and the optimal technology - both economically and ecologically-wise - the local authorities decided to construct our waste neutralization plant.

Is the company's name some kind of a "miraculous means" by which to change the mentality of the people of Łężyca?

Not at all! As I have already mentioned, it was clear from the beginning that the initiative, which naturally seeks to benefit people rather than to make their lives more difficult, needs to be endorsed by some authorities. We enjoy great support not only from local governments, which are the company's shareholders, but also from the European Union. After we have completed the difficult application procedure for the European Union funding, we took steps to improve local living conditions. We have built a new football field, refurbished a local school building into a youth club and created a new job market by giving hiring priority to the inhabitants of Łężyce. However, we do not limit ourselves to pro-social actions only. According to the mission of the company we are creating an Eco-Valley in the broad and yet very concrete meaning of this word. Łężyce is a very picturesque village located in the protection zone of the Tri-City Landscape Park. Bearing this in mind, we carry out investments which seek to fulfill our priority objective, which is to help both the environment and the people. We are also supported by the National Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management and the Viovodeship Fund for Environmental Protection and Water Management.

This sounds a bit like an ecological fairytale, should we start looking for the land of milk and honey now?

I forgive you for your sarcasm. I think you do not realize that we are already in the 21st century. We are living in very good times when people protect the environment and know that a healthy natural environment brings more benefits.

I cannot deny that thanks to our heightened ecological awareness, the employees of the Eco-Valley make an excellent team. Our work is facilitated by continuous monitoring of our operations by European Union representatives and the inhabitants of Łężyce who live near the plant. The initiatives in Łężyca I have mentioned were based on an agreement between the company and our neighbours. Hence, they are meaningful actions, not merely run-of-the-mill projects which are carried out because it only seems right. We are proving that waste neutralization does not necessarily mean a smelly landfill but rather creation of an inhabitant-friendly environment. A proof for that is the significant increase in land value around the plant.

Thank you. I wish you all the best.

AK

www.ekodolina.pl