201914 May 2021 18:39
Greece generates approximately
700kT of plastic waste each year,
or 68 kg of plastic per capita. The
influx of tourists to Greece’s coasts
increases waste generation by
up to 26% in peak season. Only
8% of waste is recycled, due to
low collection rates and highly
mixed waste streams, and limited
recycling infrastructure. The
majority of waste, 84%, ends up in
landfills. Uncollected waste leads to
40kT of plastic leaking into nature
each year. 11.5kT of plastic enters
the Mediterranean, including 28%
from sea-based sources, such as
ghost finishing nets and equipment.
Almost 70% of this waste makes its
way back to pollute Greek coastlines
each year. Greece’s economy loses
an estimated €26M annually due
to plastic pollution, as it affects
the tourism, shipping and fishing
economies.
https://wwfeu.awsassets.panda.org/downloads/05062019_wwf_greece_guidebook.pdf