Pelagos Plastic Free Project
Led by NGOs Legambiente and Expédition Med, the Pelagos Plastic Free project stems from the need to reduce marine pollution caused by plastic waste and to protect the different species of cetaceans living in the Pelagos Sanctuary.
The project has been conducted on three axes: improving governance, to encourage local administrations to take preventive measures against the disposal of plastic in the sea and on beaches; scientific research, to deepen understanding of the impact of plastics on cetaceans and the marine ecosystem; and dissemination and awareness-raising, to increase awareness among citizens and operators about plastic litter.
Waste produced in towns and cities continues to accumulate on the beaches and in the waters of the Mediterranean basin, including in protected areas that are rich in biodiversity, such as the Pelagos Sanctuary. Plastic constitutes 95% of the waste dispersed on beaches, and on the seabed and marine surfaces. In the waters of the Tuscan Archipelago, there is a concentration of 10 kg of plastic waste per square kilometre, one of the highest concentrations in the world.
This situation is mainly caused by the mismanagement of waste produced not only in coastal towns and cities, but also in those further inland. It is therefore essential that administrations of the regions concerned are informed about good practices in terms of reuse, recycling and correct disposal of litter. To facilitate this, Legambiente has put together a list of examples of good practices that have been implemented by some administrations and that can be replicated. They have also called on local and regional public administrations to try to implement some of the proposed initiatives.
