Initial interventions for the restoration of the marine environment
We are moving forward with the support of Nescafe and in cooperation with the Municipality of Thessaloniki in the implementation of a holistic program that foresees interventions for the recovery of marine litter in Thermaikos gulf, the provision of information and the enhancement of awareness of the local community. The program includes 4 main pillars of activities which include the use of smart technologies as well as the active participation of the local authorities and the local community.
The inauguration of the program took place in Thessaloniki at the end of September with press conferences at the town hall where the mayor and the deputy mayor of Thessaloniki, the head of Aegean Rebreath and a member of the BoD of Nestle briefed the press representatives on the content and objectives.
Marine litter removal with the aid of a sea-drone
The program foresees the operation of a sea drone for the removal of floating marine litter that are found in the Thermaikos Gulf. The sea-drone was handed to the municipal authorities during the inauguration of the program and after a trial use on the city’s beach front, It will be used on a systematic basis with parallel training of the municipal personnel in its handling, recovery, classification and recycling of marine waste.
Placement of an informative outdoor LED screen
The installation of the informative outdoor LED screen has been completed to raise awareness among the public through the systematic monitoring and presentation of data. The screen, which was installed at a central location in the coastal zone of Thessaloniki, will be updated by the Department of the Environment of the Municipality with data on the quality of the water of Thermaikos Gulf, the monthly recycling rates of the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the amount of waste collected by the sea-drone. Furthermore, the screen will display the campaign graphic “Taking action on land before the waste reaches our seas”.
Awareness campaign for owners and personnel of coffee shops
This pillar foresees the development of proposals for owners and personnel of coffee shops that will focus on the presentation of good practices to improve the environmental footprint of the coffee businesses and provide further information on marine pollution, recycling, reusable caps etc.
The results from the completion of targeted questionnaires to coffee professionals, will be used in the context of a campaign and the production of a short awareness video that will highlight the added value of recycling and reducing single-use plastics.
Installation of trash traps
The last pillar of activities includes the placement of nets that will operate as trash traps in central urban rainwater pipes and will prevent waste ending up in the Thermaikos Gulf. The initiative foresees the cooperation with the Municipality of Thessaloniki and the Thessaloniki Water Supply and Sewerage Cοmpany. This is also a pillar that aims to support the training of the municipality personnel and the classification and recycling of waste (whenever possible).