The public association “Movement for Cultural Heritage” continues its “I Planted a Tree” campaign, an
initiative dedicated to environmental restoration and promoting greater environmental awareness.
On October 27, the fifth event of the campaign was held, bringing together the association and RMG’s
Environmental Department to plant 254 trees of various species on the waste rock dump of the Madneuli
open-pit mine.
The event brought together students and teachers from public schools in the municipalities of Kazreti and
Dmanisi, representatives of the Dmanisi City Hall Youth Council, environmental activists, company
employees, and first-year students from the Faculty of Geology at Georgian Technical University,
accompanied by their professors.
One of the campaign’s key objectives is to actively engage young people in environmental restoration
efforts. Accordingly, the event combined tree planting with educational and informational activities aimed
at strengthening participants’ environmental awareness and understanding. Attendees also had the
opportunity to learn more about the company’s ongoing and planned environmental initiatives, including
its updated Environmental Action Plan for 2026–2028, which places particular emphasis on large-scale
land reclamation.
Special attention was also given to RMG’s plastic waste management initiative, launched in 2025. To
encourage employee participation and promote the separate collection of used plastic bottles, TOMRA
T70 Single reverse vending machines, manufactured by Norwegian company TOMRA, have been
installed at the company’s offices in Tbilisi and Kazreti.Through this initiative, employees can deposit
their used plastic bottles into the machines and receive incentive gifts in recognition of their contribution
to environmental protection. Since the initiative was launched, RMG employees have collected
approximately 151,000 plastic bottles. This achievement demonstrates how small, environmentally
conscious actions incorporated into everyday routines can collectively make a meaningful difference.
Giorgi Jebirashvili, TOMRA’s Regional Head for the Caucasus and Central Asia, introduced participants
to the proper use of the collection machines and highlighted the role of modern technologies in improving
waste management practices.
Launched in autumn 2024, the “I Planted a Tree” campaign had already resulted in the planting of 1,500
trees by the time the fifth event took place on October 27. Based on expert recommendations, planting
activities are organized twice a year, in spring and autumn.
At the end of the event, the organizers presented certificates of appreciation to the participating schools
from Dmanisi Municipality and the settlement of Kazreti, recognizing their active involvement and
contribution to the campaign.
The “I Planted a Tree” campaign will continue in spring 2027.
Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility. Every tree planted, every plastic bottle collected,
and every individual who takes part in an environmental initiative represents another meaningful step
toward a greener, cleaner, and more sustainable future.