Common Seas, the Municipality of Paros and WATT are launching a initiative called Clean Blue Paros to support Paros in becoming the first plastic-waste free Mediterranean island.
Common Seas initiative, 'Clean Blue Alliance', supports islands in accelerating their source-to-sea solutions, with the aim of eliminating plastic. The project identifies and supports local enterprises that reduce and reuse plastics.
Clean Blue Paros, in close collaboration with the local business owners, will reduce plastic items most commonly found on its beaches and in its seas by providing alternatives to the most common polluters: plastic coffee cups, straws, water bottles, food containers and bags. It will audit and measure the amount of plastic being recycled, while the municipality will separate the collection and aggregation of plastic waste.
With more and more holidaymakers choosing to travel in a responsible and eco-friendly manner, such initiatives also help in boosting tourism.
Markos Koveos, Paros Mayor, said: "We warmly welcome this important and vital collaboration with Common Seas and WATT, that will make Paros the first, innovative Mediterranean island to become plastic waste-free. As a first step, amongst other initiatives, we are committed to phasing out plastic straws by next summer, ahead of the EU ban planned for 2022. We are encouraged by the businesses' who have already committed to support Clean Blue Paros. They are already acting to reduce plastic- use and better manage plastic waste; such as offering incentives for customers using refillable cups and providing alternatives to plastic straws. We will continue to support the growth of conservation and ecological awareness in Paros.?
Jo Royle, Common Seas managing director, noted: ?Tackling plastic pollution in our seas is a must for our environment, our economy and ultimately our health. We have found excellent partners in the leaders and citizens of Paros and know that the changes they will make, in eradicating plastic waste from their island, will contribute greatly to their transition towards a Circular Economy, inspire islands across the world, and contribute to Paros reaching the 'United Nations Sustainable Development Goals' and the EU's climate commitments.?
Chief Executive Officer of WATT, Mr. Athanasios Katris added: ?We all share our love for the environment and experience nature's wonder, particularly when we are on the Greek islands. We welcome this important initiative that will invest in incubating and accelerating viable enterprises developed on the island, enable a higher volume of waste to be recycled, and preserve the beauty of Paros for generations to come.?
