Peregraf- The Iraqi Ministry of Environment announced on Monday the signing of an agreement with the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) to recycle electoral advertisements and repurpose them as environmental awareness banners across Baghdad and other governorates.
Amir Ali Al-Hassoun, Director General of the Department of Environmental Awareness and Media at the Ministry, said the agreement aims to reuse materials from electoral campaigns to support environmental education initiatives. He noted that implementation will begin immediately after the conclusion of the election campaign, helping ensure maximum benefit from reusable materials and strengthening national efforts to protect the environment.
The Ministry described the initiative as a pioneering model for recycling and reinvesting used campaign materials rather than discarding them as waste. It urged political entities to participate actively in the project, encouraging a culture of community environmental responsibility. Al-Hassoun added that the Ministry will soon announce which political parties will take part in supporting and distributing the recycled environmental banners.
With the start of campaigning, Minister of Environment Halo Al-Askari warned candidates and campaign organizers against causing environmental damage. He stressed the importance of adhering to environmental and municipal regulations, preserving green spaces, and maintaining the urban landscape.
The Ministry’s instructions include prohibiting the placement of posters on trees, sidewalks, parks, and heritage sites; requiring adherence to designated posting areas approved by municipal departments; and banning the use of polluting materials such as oil-based paints and chemical adhesives.
The initiative forms part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to promote sustainable practices and mitigate the environmental impact of Iraq’s electoral activities.