Project duration: 09/2025 – 06/2026

Status: ON-GOING

The Challenge

Hvar faces pressing waste management challenges due to limited waste disposal and recycling infrastructure, high dependence on imported goods, and a growing influx of tourists. The existing non-hazardous waste disposal site Stanišće, currently used for waste disposal, is nearly full, intensifying the urgency of addressing waste management. This situation threatens local ecosystems, pollutes marine and terrestrial habitats, and strains the island’s fragile resources. The lack of repair and reuse practices further worsens waste, with discarded items often ending up in nature, impacting biodiversity and degrading the unique island landscapes.

Our Solution

The Small Island Repairs project is a comprehensive initiative designed to address the pressing waste management challenges. The project aims to alleviate these issues by fostering a sustainable culture rooted in repair, reuse, and mindful consumption among residents, particularly children and their families. Through educational workshops, repair events, clean-up action, and creative upcycling activities, the project empowers participants to adopt the 5 R’s – Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle – as daily waste practices and strengthen community resilience. By engaging people of all ages, though mainly children, the project seeks to instil lifelong sustainable habits, protect local ecosystems, and reduce the impact of waste on marine and terrestrial habitats.

The goal is to:

• Reduce waste generation by encouraging repair, reuse, and recycling practices within the island community
• Build practical skills in sustainable living to create a long-lasting responsibility for the environment
• Protect the island ecosystems by reducing the presence and impact of waste in natural habitats

The organisation’s already established Repair Shop offers a free repair space where people can repair items with volunteers, fostering a culture of reuse and repair. It has been operating since 2023.

Project Deliverables

• “Path to Zero-Waste” workshop
• “Where Does All the Waste Go?” workshop
  
• Book repair workshop “Story Repairs”
• Textile upcycling workshop
• Toy repair workshop “Toy Hospital”
• Beach clean-up
• “Little Works of Art from Waste” workshop
  

Project Updates

• March 17 – Workshop “Where Does All the Waste Go?” held at Hvar Arsenal for 29 kindergarten children and 3 teachers

• March 17 – “Story Repairs” book repair workshop at Hvar Public Library with 11 adults and 12 children repairing 10 books

• March 18 – Workshop “Where Does All the Waste Go?” at Hvar Elementary School for 15 pupils and 1 teacher

• May 8 – Beach clean-up and outdoor class for 20 pupils and 2 teachers; materials collected used for future upcycling activities

• May 9 – Art workshop “Little Works of Art from Waste” at Fortica fortress, part of “Night of Fortresses Goes Green” event; 40 pupils and 2 teachers participated

• Media coverage – Two reports on otoci.eu platform, one feature on dalmacijadanas.hr, and a TV segment by HRT covering “Story Repairs.”

Insight into the Organisation

Permakultura Dalmacija has a robust history in environmental education, waste reduction, and sustainable community projects across the Dalmatian region. Since its founding in 2014, it has focused on establishing educational programs for schools. Its proven success in waste reduction and environmental stewardship for all ages equips it to empower island communities in sustainable waste management and resource conservation.