Garbage from Greek seas become socks, bags and T-shirts

Today at 11 in the morning at the fishing docks of Keratsini, the Ministry of Rural Development, the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (ELKETHE) and the organization “Enalia” join forces for the systematic cleaning and prevention of pollution of the Greek seas. The common aim of the three bodies is the goal of environmental protection, but also of the financial support of Greek fishermen. The signing of the memorandum will strengthen the actions of “Enalia” for the collection of waste from the Greek seas and the creation of new products – socks, blouses, bags, furniture, etc. – which will bring income that will strengthen the “wallet” of Greek fishermen. Also, as the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Mrs. Fotini Arabatzi, stated to ot.gr, that there will be a simultaneous digital recording of the data of environmental pollution of the Greek seas.

The action “Enaleia”, according to its leader Lefteris Arapakis, has won many awards, since 2016, when it began to be active initially with the training of youth in the field of sustainable fishing to ensure a future for Greek fishermen. Among them is the “Young Champions of the Earth” award of the United Nations Environment Program.

150 tons of plastic in 21 ports

Today, about 230 professional fishing boats participate in “Enalia”, with a crew of about 1,000 people. In fact, their side catch is particularly rich. From the end of 2019 until today, 150 tons of plastics have been collected in 21 ports in Greece and Italy. In particular, the fishermen who work with the organization, today, in the midst of a pandemic, collect about 12 tons of plastic per month, a quantity estimated by the Ministry of Rural Development and “Elenia” that will reach 20 tons per month after full return to normal .

The used nets collected are sent to the environmental organization Healthy Seas in the Netherlands, which processes them into new products such as swimwear and socks, while the plastics “travel” to Madrid, to the Ecoalf Foundation which converts them into fashion items such as jackets, t-shirts and bags. Each ton of net produces enough yarn to produce more than 26,000 pairs of socks and more than 1,000 square feet [1 m] of carpet. Recently, “Enalia” signed another collaboration with a company that uses composite plastics and turns them into furniture (benches, etc.). Any excess plastic or metal is recycled in Greece in collaboration with recycling companies.

Up to 260 euros per boat

To date, this activity provides an amount of about 100 to 260 euros per month per fishing boat, depending on garbage collection and sales. However, the benefits are manifold as plastic pollution is reduced and the frequency of damage to fishing gear from plastics is reduced. The positive economic impact of the action for our country, calculated based on the 110 tons collected last year is estimated at up to 3.6 million dollars (about 3 million euros) per year. This is because the economic cost of plastic marine pollution was estimated at up to $ 33,000 per tonne of marine plastic per year, according to a study (Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Arctic University of Norway, University of Stirling and University of Surrey) published in the scientific journal form Marine Pollution Bulletin in May 2019.

There are about 14,000 fishing boats active in Greece and the goal of the ministry is to expand the initiatives of “Elenia” for the cleaning of the seas in the country, to strengthen the cyclical economy through the utilization of marine litter, but also the income of fishermen. In particular, the main axes of the memorandum of cooperation are the following:

(a) cleaning, rescue and rehabilitation of polluted marine areas from environmental pollution as well as fishery residues

b) strengthening the cyclical economy through the recovery of marine litter

(c) boosting fishermen’s income from waste collection

(d) consolidating environmental awareness among both fisheries professionals and society at large; and

e) digitization of environmental burden data for the implementation of relevant policies

Joint actions

The joint actions of its partners include:

1. The extension of the Mediterranean Clean up cleaning action to other areas of Greece that have pisciculture, including areas of Northern Greece and the Eastern Aegean. The action involves cleaning plastic in collaboration with trawlers in sea areas at least 1.5 miles offshore

2. The prevention of plastic pollution through the organization and collection of used equipment from fishing vessels and fish farms

3. Pilot sea clearings with coastal fishing boats

4. The creation of an electronic application, which will work on smart devices (tablets, mobile) for the recording of the findings of the waste, collected from the sea, for the useful drawing of conclusions and decision making

5. The integration of plastic, which will be collected and studied by ELKETHE, in the circular economy where it could be turned into reciprocal products, such as benches

6. The cleaning of the coastal zone in Argosaronikos & Thermaikos, especially in areas where there is waste from (abandoned) fish farms.