15 October, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The collection of secondary raw materials has increased by 24% in the Vitebsk region, as reported to BELTA by the Vitebsk Regional Committee for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. Environmentalists note a significant improvement in the region regarding the collection of secondary material resources. For instance, in January-August 2011, the collection of five types of secondary raw materials – waste paper, cullet, textiles, plastics, and tires – amounted to 14.9 thousand tons, while for the same period this year, it reached 18.5 thousand tons. For example, approximately 3.5 thousand tons of waste paper are collected annually from the public through collection points, accounting for 20.6% of the total collection in the region. According to specialists, this growth in the volume of collected secondary raw materials has been facilitated by an extensive public awareness campaign, as well as increased activity of collection points. Currently, there are 160 collection points for secondary material resources operating throughout the region, of which 138 belong to the regional consumer union and 22 to unitary enterprises of housing and communal services. In addition to collection points, secondary raw materials are also collected at 18 sorting stations for municipal waste and through separate waste collection containers. In accordance with the state program for the collection (procurement) of secondary resources, the number of collection points is expected to increase by 33 units during the period 2010-2015. -0-

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