The inclusion of the Marine Litter Collection Stations (M.L.C.S.) among the most “Innovative Transformative Solutions” distinguished at European level is an important acknowledgment! This distinction is related to the Blue Mission Med program and the European Commission’s initiative “EU Mission to Restore our Oceans and Waters”, which aims to identify and expand practices that can contribute to the protection of the marine environment in Europe.
Currently, there are 22 Marine Litter Collection Stations operating across Greece, which have contributed to the collection of 645,000 recyclable items and 47 tons of fishing gear! This practice has played an active role in promoting four-stream waste management, training municipal staff and the fishing community and highlighting the blue and circular economy. It is a system based on voluntary contribution and individual responsibility.
It is no coincidence that key criteria for recognizing these practices included factors such as innovation, impact on changing social culture, transition to new economic models and more.
This recognition is a vindication of the efforts of all the organizations and volunteers involved in the successful operation of the M.L.C.S. in recent years. More importantly, it is already a practice acknowledged at the European level—but one that has yet to be fully leveraged nationally.
For more info on the Blue Mission Med webpage.
