Botswana Delegation Visits Västerås: BALTIPLAST Showcases Plastic Reduction

In May, BALTIPLAST presented its project and key conclusions to a high-level delegation of 10 senior officials from Gaborone, Botswana. The delegation included Gaborone’s City Mayor and School Head, who traveled to Västerås to explore innovative approaches to sustainable consumption and local democracy.

Västerås and Gaborone have built a dynamic municipal partnership aimed at strengthening local democratic practices and improving waste management systems. They collaborate under the project “Society Engagement in Sustainable Consumption and Waste Management in Gaborone and Västerås”, which receives funding from Swedish development aid via Sida, and support from the International Centre for Local Democracy (ICLD).

During the visit, Västerås’ international strategist and staff from the city’s waste management company actively participated in discussions and knowledge-sharing activities. The teams from both cities exchanged practical experiences on engaging residents and schools in waste reduction initiatives.

The programme featured several study visits and interactive seminars, highlighting different approaches to local democracy and environmental sustainability. In one of these sessions, the BALTIPLAST team shared hands-on strategies for tackling plastic pollution, with a focus on community education and behavior change.

The cities placed particular emphasis on the top tiers of the EU waste hierarchy: avoiding unnecessary consumption, reusing materials, and recycling. Both sides explored how to better involve communities—especially young people—in sustainable habits that reduce environmental impact.

This exchange not only deepened the collaboration between Västerås and Gaborone but also demonstrated how global partnerships can drive local action toward a more sustainable and democratic future.

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