Monthly Archives: February 2024

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The NIMBY phenomenon

By Panagiotis Nikolaos Koutsaimanis
The term NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) is used in the science of sociology to describe the reaction of a group of people or a community to projects or facilities planned to be developed in their immediate geographical area.

Development projects such as, industries, renewable energy, development projects or social projects are delayed or never completed because local communities oppose them even though they are expected to have a positive impact on the wider community and increase jobs.

The reasons why members of local communities oppose such projects vary, mainly because of the deterioration in the value of their homes and quality of life, the impact on the environment or health, and some are opposed because of different political or ideological views.

Communication and dialogue between authorities, businesses and the local community is key to addressing the NIMBY phenomenon and can help to understand concerns and find solutions that satisfy both parties as far as possible.

The NIMBY phenomenon is a challenge for societies seeking a balance between growth and maintaining quality of life. Formulating the best possible project promotion strategy can create an environment where development is in line with the concerns and needs of residents.

To address the complex NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) phenomenon, GREEN2SUSTAIN recognizes the particular challenges posed by community reactions to investment projects regardless of the type of project or activity. Incorporating sociological insights, we integrate a nuanced understanding of local sentiments into our studies and services. By exploring the multifaceted reasons behind reactions, whether they are rooted in concerns about property values, environmental impacts or different ideologies, we always seek to bridge the gap between authorities, private initiative and local communities.

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Asbestos: Study for the management and removal of hazardous materials

Ensuring integrated management of hazardous waste is a primary obligation of a responsible and holistic environmental and sustainability strategy. Our team, fully equipped with the appropriate expertise and experience, was contracted to oversee α company’s activities regarding the dismantling, packaging, storage, transboundary transport and disposal of asbestos materials from a private property. At the same time, GREEN2SUSTAIN undertook the certification of the above processes, depending on the development and stage of its execution and the recommendation of relevant attestations-certificates.

In more detail, our team, in order to ensure the successful completion of the relevant procedures, carried out weekly inspections of the construction site, ficusing on compliance with environmental protection, Health and Safety at Work and hazardous materials management regulations as well as the upkeep of an inventory of all necessary hazardous waste management related documentation during the clean-up stage. At the same time, our was in constant communication with the project operator in order to be aware of any deviations from the intended scope of the decontamination.

In order to achieve the aforementioned objectives, our experts formulated a tailor-made autopsy protocol for the on-site audits and prepared dedicated weekly and monthly reports, as well as monthly and general certification reports for the project. The project was completed within 7 months, as planned according to the original schedule, during which 13 discrete visits took place and 4 monthly reports and one staff report were completed. Overall, the project was executed with the due diligence and quality expected in this type of project and ultimately achieved the complete dismantling, removal and collection of 608,632 kg of asbestos materials, all of which were transported across the border.