Our association will launch soon a new initiative called “Elafonisos Plastic Bag Free” to combat plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. The initiative is supported by BeMed, an organization that funds projects aimed at reducing plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.
In 2023, 11 new projects in 6 different countries will join this network, and Elafonisos Eco is proud to be one of them. Through this initiative, the island hopes to become a role model for other communities that want to eliminate plastic pollution and promote sustainable living
Our project aims to eliminate the use of plastic bags on the island by developing also a bag production unit from unused hotel sheets and fabric scraps. The first 4 participating stores on the island will no longer offer plastic bags to Elafonisiotes, but instead will provide larger, solid, eco-friendly bags and cotton bags. As part of the campaign, locals will also have the opportunity to sew some of the cotton bags using unused hotel sheets.
“Our initiative ‘Elafonisos Plastic Bag Free’ is an important step towards a more sustainable future,” said Enrico Toja, President of Elafonisos Eco. “We are proud to work with The Beyong Plastic Med ( BeMed ) association to reduce plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea and hope our efforts will inspire other communities to take similar action.” BeMed is hosted by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation.
During the summer season, tourists visiting the island will receive a cotton bag when shopping at participating stores. The initiative will also include awareness-raising activities in the harbor to sensitize locals and visitors to the environmental problems caused by single-use plastics.
“We are excited to support Elafonisos Island in its effort to reduce plastic pollution,” said Céline Renouard, BeMed’s project manager. “The Elafonisos Plastic Bag Free initiative is a great example of how small actions can make a big difference.”
The project will also include a promotion and training plan for the employees of the participating stores. The trainings will be carried out by Alexander Balzan a PhD student from the Open University of Catalonia and Katerina Kokkinaki, the Green Marketing and Project director, they will include lectures for locals, workers, students, and school teachers.
Plastic pollution is a major problem in the Mediterranean Sea, with the region being one of the most plastic-polluted seas in the world. BeMed supports projects aimed at reducing plastic use, finding alternatives, improving waste management systems, raising awareness, collecting data, mobilizing stakeholders, and helping to set up new regulations.