I am particularly pleased to attend the "Zero Waste Beach Awards 2022" ceremony, which is for businesses that have achieved a reduction in their plastic waste and promoted recycling activities as part of their sustainable development.
The AKTI Centre for Studies and Research, in collaboration with Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus, implemented the largest campaign to reduce the country's marine pollution, particularly from plastics, through the innovative "Zero Waste Beach" programme. The problem of plastic pollution in the sea is one of the most serious problems facing the planet today. 90% of the trash in our seas and oceans is plastic, which is virtually non-degradable.
Addressing the problem of marine litter is of particular importance for Cyprus, due to its insular nature and the negative impact of litter on economic activities such as tourism and fishing, on which our country is highly dependent.
At this point let me mention that Cyprus is addressing the problem of marine litter from land-based sources through the implementation of a series of policies and measures for waste management, which are included in the Strategy for the management of marine litter. These measures cover the three main policy pillars - source separation and separate collection, waste reduction in all economic sectors and incentives, such as the implementation of Pay As I Fly schemes. They also cover public information and awareness raising. I would say that a transformation in the way we manage our municipal waste has been planned and has already started to be implemented with resources from the Structural Funds, the Recovery and Resilience Plan and national budgets, within the framework of the principles of the circular economy.
Measures already being implemented and expected to contribute significantly to marine litter prevention include the creation of a nationwide separate collection system for recyclable and organic waste, charges on plastic bags until a complete ban on their sale in February 2023 and recent restrictions on single-use plastic products.
Further targeted actions to address marine litter have been included in the LIFE IP WASTE project for smart monitoring and efficient waste reduction in Cyprus. The actions focus on the collection and management of marine litter and in particular on the collection and recycling of fishing gear containing plastic material.
Given the importance of addressing the problem of marine litter in Cyprus, I would like to congratulate the contributors of the Zero Waste Beach project. First let me congratulate the AKTH Study and Research Centre. AKTH is one of the first organisations in Europe to address the major problem of marine litter and the first organisation in Cyprus to speak out about the plastic pollution of our seas.
I would also like to express my congratulations to the Coca-Cola HBC Cyprus Foundation, which as part of its social corporate responsibility supports actions important for a cleaner environment.
Congratulations are also due, of course, to the companies receiving awards today.
Dear friends,
I assure you that in the valuable efforts and initiatives you are developing, you will have the full support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, with the aim of making our seas and coasts free of plastic litter. May your action find imitators.
Good luck!
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