A map of Greece with respective clean-ups
Extensive participation of Greek volunteers in the actions of the European Cleanup Day 2016
According to evidence to date, more than 100 cleanups of coastal, underwater and mountain areas were carried out throughout Greece with the participation of more than 4, 300 volunteers in the European Cleanup Day, which was coordinated by HELMEPA, between 6 – 15 May 2016.
The vast majority of volunteers were pupils of Kindergartens and Primary Schools, members of the “HELMEPA Junior” Program, together with their teachers as well as young “Cadets” and other High School students. Participants also included HELMEPA member-companies, Local Authorities, Coast Guard officers, tourist enterprises, diving clubs, local unions, cultural associations and citizens of all ages.
From the clean-up at Kardamyla, Chios
This year’s initiative featured an extremely high participation of volunteers on the islands of Alonissos, Antiparos, Chios, Corfu, Crete, Ithaca, Kalymnos, Karpathos, Leros, Milos, Mykonos, Mytilini, Naxos, Paros, Rhodes, Santorini, Skiathos, Skyros, Thassos and Zakynthos. A map containing all the Greek areas where cleanups were conducted is provided at the following link http://www.helmepa.gr/gr/cleanup.php.
HELMEPA staff had the opportunity to attend the following three cleanups and inform volunteers first hand on the problem of pollution, mainly from plastics.
From the ever best possible clean up at Alonissos
At the Lake of Iraion, in the region of Corinth, on Tuesday 10 May, 50 HELMEPA Junior members and “Cadets” from the Primary School and the High School of Perachora, together with members of the Residents’ Association of Lake Iraion, cleaned the lake shores from mainly small, plastic litter items.
In Attica, on Friday 13 May, children-members of HELMEPA Junior and teachers from the 12th Primary School of Nea Smyrni cleaned the beach of Megalo Kavouri in Vouliagmeni, while on Sunday 15 May staff of HELMEPA’s Associate Corporate Member, AllSeas Marine S.A., voluntarily cleaned-up the beach at the 3rd Marina of Glyfada.
Another group of enthousiasts at the Leros cleanup!
Participants throughout Greece were provided with detailed guidelines on the organization of cleanups and the recording of litter findings on special data cards, which enables the collection of useful information on the types, quantities and sources of marine litter. The total findings for Greece will be announced in June by HELMEPA following the processing of data cards. All children and youth that participated in the European Cleanup Day will receive a commemorative Participation Diploma.
In northern Greece’s Axios River cleanup!
