Between the Adriatic and Ionian Sea

©Philippe Mondielli

Between the Adriatic and Ionian Sea

Around 200,000 people live in the coastal region of Vlora, which stretches from Porto Palermo on the Ionian Sea as far as the point where the River Vjosa flows into the Adriatic Sea. Day after day, the dumping of considerable amounts of waste into the sea is the result of an excessive use of bags and other plastic items, associated with poor management by the municipality. The project aims to teach the community and the main maritime stakeholders to reduce their use of plastic materials. Lobbying and advocacy work with decision-makers will help encourage the preparation of a waste management plan. The project also includes plans for the imposition of high taxes on the plastic bags distributed in the region’s markets. Finally, the project initiators would like to educate young schoolchildren further about the dangers of plastic and the means of limiting its use.