Paros to become Med’s first plastic waste-free island

The Greek island of Paros is set to become the first plastic-waste free Mediterranean island and a global pioneer in the fight against plastics in the world’s seas and oceans.

The move is the result of Clean Blue Paros,a trailblazing initiative launched by Common Seas, the Municipality of Paros and WATT.

Common Seas initiative ‘Clean Blue Alliance’ supports islands in accelerating their source-to-sea solutions, with the aim of eliminating plastic. The project is evidence-based and solutions-oriented as it identifies and supports local enterprises that reduce and reuse plastics.

The latest innovative initiative is a collaboration between ground-breaking Paros local businesses, the World Wildlife Fund Greece and the Cyclades Preservation Fund.

Clean Blue Paros is empowering and supporting Parians and visitors, in order to enhance their understanding of their plastic ecosystem, as well as identify and invest in the solutions that will have the biggest impact in reducing the plastic items most commonly found in their seas. Together they will all support and contribute to a lasting reduction of plastic waste on the island.

Markos Koveos, Mayor of Paros, 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.”

The agreement also constitutes a significant move towards the adoption of the EU’s strategy for ‘Plastics in a Circular Economy’, that aims to ‘protect the public and the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation’.

Clean Blue Paros will continue to collaborate closely with Paros Municipality and the island’s locals and visitors to turn Paros into a more sustainable, circular economy that will make it a world leader in plastic-waste free living.