-
.
- Ελληνικά
The International Plastic Free Day is celebrated every year on 25 May, at the initiative of the organization Free the Ocean, founded in 2019 to protect the oceans from plastic.
It is estimated that 8 million tons of plastic are dumped into the oceans every year. In the Mediterranean, plastics make up 95% of the litter found in the seas. The rapid increase in plastic pollution has alarmed the world in recent years, as they are a cause of injury or death to many species of wildlife.
Around 100,000 marine animals die every year because of plastic. In addition to visible plastic pollution, there is also invisible plastic pollution, which comes from microplastics that pass through the food chain and end up in humans, affecting human health.
The aim of the World Plastic-Free Day is to raise awareness of the importance of the problem and possible solutions.
In Cyprus, various policies have been adopted to reduce plastics and protect the environment and human health. This measure resulted in an 80-85% reduction in annual consumption compared to 2017. From 2022, a complete ban on the disposal of the thin plastic carrier bag at points of sale is now applicable. [*]In April 2022, the harmonizing legislation on the reduction of certain single-use plastics was passed by the House of Representatives, under which certain single-use plastics have been banned (e.g. plastic cutlery, plates, disposable straws), while measures and policies are being taken to reduce other single-use plastics, such as the Regulation on the management of plastic waste from tobacco products and tobacco filters under extended producer responsibility, which was passed by the House of Representatives in February 2024. In addition, Regulations on the Waste Management of Plastic Products for Agricultural Use are expected to be adopted, while Regulations on the management of waste from fishing gear containing plastic material under extended producer responsibility are in preparation. [*]Since 2016, Cyprus has been participating in the European Week for Waste Prevention (EWWR), which aims to promote at European level the implementation of public awareness actions on sustainable use of resources and waste management, giving them value again. Every year the action "No more single-use plastic cups" is implemented. [*]The Department of Environment of the Ministry of Agriculture Rural Development and Environment, since 2019, has been implementing an internal circular banning the use of plastics in catering services at its events, workshops and conferences and at the same time promoting reuse by asking caterers to make all serving items reusable (e.g. glass water bottles, glass or glass-lined glasses and plates, metal cutlery, etc.). [*]In the framework of the project "Life IP-CY Zero Waste (2021-2029)", which is led by the Department of Environment, a new policy of the Department is implemented in its various events (forums, workshops, trainings, etc.), in which reusable cups with the project logo are used. Similar actions are being implemented in the context of consultations carried out for the "Pay As I Fly" project with prepaid bags. [*]Similar policies are also being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, and are being promoted to the rest of the government through the Zero Waste policy in landfills, which is expected to be implemented initially at the Presidential Palace. It is also noted that the Presidential Palace, the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and the Department of Environment have been certified with the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme EMAS, which is being promoted to other Ministries and Departments. [/LIST]
Because together we can do better. Our goal is a "green" government, friendly to the environment. A "green" Cyprus, without plastics, without waste, changing habits. Because the best waste is the one that was never produced.
(Ephys/GS/NYAN)
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs PIO
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or PIO
Source
Source
