Plastic Pollution Beach Cleanup at the LefkoGaia Recycle Project

Plastic Pollution is the buildup of plastic products in the environment that adversely affects wildlife, humans and their habitats.

Lefkas (Lefkada) is an amazing island on the west coast of Greece. We lived here on our boat surrounded by wetlands and salt flats. Without a car we walked and cycled everywhere and discovered the huge amount of wildlife that lives here such as swans, flamingos, egrets, ducks as well as turtles, butterflies and amphibians.

Sadly, we also found a lot of rubbish including plastic bottles, bags and even fly tipping sites which were polluting this special environment. People were actually driving into the wetlands and offloading their rubbish rather than taking it to the dump.

In the marina some liveaboards organised their own recycling scheme – cans and plastic bottles were being collected in the community room then taken on fold up bikes to a
recycling project every week.

This project is called LefkoGaia – a recycle co-operative project overseen by Thomas who recycles everything form electrics, metals and cooking oil to plastic, card and glass.

The project struggles by on donations and by reselling recyclable materials. Used boat and car batteries are particularly welcome because of their high value lead content.

Some liveaoards – such as Andrew Waterman – even volunteer their time to help sort and package the recyclable materials.

The project has only one old van which is used to pick up large white goods such as televisions and refrigerators. They also get by on only two lights until they can fund their own electric supply.

We joined a beach cleanup organised by some liveaboards – at a local turtle beach near Lefkas – and although the problem of ocean plastic pollution seems overwhelming at times, we met many people who are determined to make a change. Organising local beach cleanups or just picking up three pieces of plastic every time you’re out for a walk can make a difference and inspire others.

We’ve sailed away from Greece now but hopefully left the it slightly better than when we found it. On our travels we’ve modified the old aphorism of, “leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos” to, “leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos.. and a few bits of plastic!”

For more information on LefkoGaia or to help Thomas, contact him here:

Lefkogaia -Social Recycling Enterprise
www.Lefkogaia.eu
Lefkogaia@gmail.com
Tel.Greece: 6972448322

Lefko Gaia is a nonprofit social enterprise whose aim is to collect and sell recyclable materials. The proceeds from which will go towards maintaining this project and especially funding educational programs to profile the importance of environmental issues to children and adults in the local community. Lefko Gaia is run by a cooperative group of local people passionate about protecting and enhancing the environment of Lefkada.

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