As part of the previously mentioned International Collaboration Lab and GREENPACT partner meeting in Bratislava, also the annual Study Visit took place. The main location for a visit led the partners and stakeholders to a very interesting Slovak organisation, run by the City of Bratislava and a municipal enterprise OLO, which has been operating on the market for 30 years. Their mission is to recover waste and provide reliable services in the field of collection and removal of municipal and small construction waste for residents and legal entities in the territory of Bratislava.
In 2022, they opened KOLO – Bratislava Reuse Centre with the city. KOLO gives usable items a second life. Residents can donate things they no longer need and take others for a suggested donation (€0.50–25). All contributions support environmental protection. KOLO also offers repair services and includes a creative space for workshops, mainly for children and youth. The centre promotes education, social inclusion, and community engagement. OLO collaborates with nonprofits such as ONE PARENT, which supports single-parent families. In March 2024, they joined its Annual Assistance Program.
Recently a second Reuse Center was opened, to support easier donations on the other side of town. Both KOLO Ružinov and KOLO Karlova Ves run separate public collections. Details can be found on the KOLO Website (only in Slovak). We were very impressed with this sustainable model and are grateful for our Slovak Partner UEBA for the organisation of this great visit!