The Cyprus Responsible Coastal Businesses Network against Single-Use Plastics
© AKTI
The aim of this initiative was to reduce the use of single-use plastic in coastal regions by making producers and consumers more responsible.
Main results of the project:
The project focused on three main areas:
- Working with local stakeholders and distributing a guide to good practice
- Raising awareness among schoolchildren and the general public
- Large-scale communication campaign
Waste reduction at source
- Development and distribution of a good practice guide to coastal authorities and members of the Cypriot Responsible Coastal Business Network.
- Awareness raising and engagement of coastal businesses in the face of future European Union directives aimed at banning single-use plastics in Cyprus by 2021.
Public awareness and mobilization
- Participatory beach clean-ups organized in Paphos, bringing together more than 400 volunteers and collecting 300 kg of waste.
- Integration of data from these clean-ups into the regional database of AKTION and into the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) program.
- School workshops to raise awareness of the dangers of single-use plastics.
- Awareness campaigns in universities (University of Technology and University of Cyprus) reaching 400 students.
Communication campaign
- Wide dissemination of activities through social networks, the press and radio.
- Announcement of the project results on World Environment Day, with an exhibition of works created from marine litter, in collaboration with local municipalities and artists.
The activities carried out were a great success, with strong involvement from young people and students, thus raising awareness and commitment to the reduction of plastic waste in Cyprus.
