Akko turns recycled waste into art
When Sari, wife of Abraham, became the matriarch of the Jewish people, G_d added a Hebrew hey to her name, thus acknowledging her holiness with the name Sarah. Today, Ilan Suissa is now Ilan Green-Suissa in acknowledgement of his patriarchal role in green activism in Akko.
Akko, a northern coastal city of Israel, is beautiful but plagued with pollution and waste. Green-Suissa has pledged to change that by making waste into art.
Green-Suisa's first project consisted of collecting ceramic waste which was disposed of illegally by building companies into the ocean. "The ceramic shards disrupted the local bathers from enjoying the beach," he said. Along with the activists, Green-Suisa used the collected ceramic waste, and turned it into a mosaic at a local school in the city.
Green-Suissa, a father of four and an aluminum factory worker, now dedicates his time and energy not to a project, but to a movement. Along with over forty volunteers aged 15-70 of all races and ethnicities, Suissa says he works to “change the public’s behavioral patterns,” pursuing a dream of making Akko the eco-friendly capital of Israel.
Akko, and Green-Suissa’s movement, is well on its way to achieving that title. They succeeded in persuading the city to place recycling bins throughout the city. “Akko won first place in Israel for recycling,” says Green-Suissa.
Other projects that these activists pursue include an Israeli flag made of recycled bottle caps, confronting factories who pollute local streams, and "teaching the next generation about an eco-friendly lifestyle is the best way to pass on the values for a better and greener future."
Akko, a northern coastal city of Israel, is beautiful but plagued with pollution and waste. Green-Suissa has pledged to change that by making waste into art.
Green-Suisa's first project consisted of collecting ceramic waste which was disposed of illegally by building companies into the ocean. "The ceramic shards disrupted the local bathers from enjoying the beach," he said. Along with the activists, Green-Suisa used the collected ceramic waste, and turned it into a mosaic at a local school in the city.
Green-Suissa, a father of four and an aluminum factory worker, now dedicates his time and energy not to a project, but to a movement. Along with over forty volunteers aged 15-70 of all races and ethnicities, Suissa says he works to “change the public’s behavioral patterns,” pursuing a dream of making Akko the eco-friendly capital of Israel.
Akko, and Green-Suissa’s movement, is well on its way to achieving that title. They succeeded in persuading the city to place recycling bins throughout the city. “Akko won first place in Israel for recycling,” says Green-Suissa.
Other projects that these activists pursue include an Israeli flag made of recycled bottle caps, confronting factories who pollute local streams, and "teaching the next generation about an eco-friendly lifestyle is the best way to pass on the values for a better and greener future."