A museum of lost things opened in Chisinau hosts as exhibits tens of medals, icons and souvenirs from different countries and decoration items from the Soviet period. All the exhibits were found while sorting waste gathered in Chisinau. As from December 20, when the museum was opened, it has been visited by students, teachers and young people concerned with the environment, IPN reports.

About 200 things that were found among waste were appropriately cleaned and prepared for being exhibited at the museum. “The idea of founding such a museum appeared after we saw that the employees during sorting works find different things that they use to adorn the walls of the spaces where they work. The number of such things grew and we decided to create an area for other people to also admire them. We were inspired by Turkey whether there is a bookstore that sells also books found among waste,” Irina Balica, of ABS Recycling, stated in the inauguration of the museum.

The museum of lost things is an initiative aimed at informing and sensitizing the people to the need of ensuring the appropriate management of waste. “The museum has a dual purpose. It is first of all a place of refuge for integral things that are thrown together with waste. Also, these exhibits are an additional proof of the fact that not all the things thrown in the garbage bin are litter. I hope that after visiting this museum, the people will realize that they should attentively manage waste. Any item that is thrown inappropriately pollutes the environment and influences our life,” said Alexandru Rotaru, manager of the UNDP Moldova Project “Sustainable Green Cities for Moldova”.

The organizers said that the museum’s exhibits will be soon put up for sale at a symbolic price on an online platform. This way the exhibits could be renewed and the collected money will be used to maintain the museum.

“We have a lot of souvenirs from different countries that were most probably offered as presents to persons. I think we must be more attentive when we make a present so that this is used and does not become waste. Persons started to bring to us old books in a proper state, which we will donate,” said Irina Balica.

The museum’s building was erected on the territory of the solid waste sorting company ABS Recycling. Its walls are from recycled glass and are very sustainable. The museum can be visited free after informing beforehand about the visit.

ABS Recycling monthly sorts about 2,000 tonnes of waste for recycling, such as plastic, paper, glass and metals.