FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL

ENVIRONMENTAL
AWARENESS
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the
author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European
Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can
be held responsible for them.
 Plastic Pollution (the
Mediterranean)
10 th October -14 th October
2022
Greece
 PLASTIC POLLUTION

Plastics are synthetic compounds made

of carbon-based materials; most plastic
is derived from oil and other fossil
materials, though it can also be made of
other sources like cellulose and corn
starch.
Plastic Sticks Around For Centuries Or Longer:

Plastic is widely used because of its durability,

but this also makes it dangerous: most plastics
are not biodegradable and remain in the
environment for hundreds of years.
It just crumbles into smaller and smaller pieces—you’ve
probably seen these referred to as microplastics. These plastic
particles are barely visible or invisible to naked eye and will
essentially exist forever without intervention. The smallest
microplastics are so tiny that they can pass through water
filtration systems and end up in the Great Lakes and oceans.
From there, they can infiltrate the food chain and our drinking
water.
How Big Is The Plastic Pollution
Problem?
Plastic pollution is a
significant worldwide
problem. Plastic waste
has invaded every part
of our planet. It’s not just
an eyesore—plastic
pollution is a threat to
wildlife and human
health.
One of the biggest sources of plastic pollution is
single-use plastics. Single-use plastics are any
products intended to be used once and thrown
away. This includes grocery bags, plastic bottles,
food packaging, cups, cutlery, straws, and dozens
of other plastic products
Most Plastic Is Not Recycled
The plastic pollution problem is further
complicated by the fact that most plastic isn’t
recycled. Compared to other recyclables like
aluminum, glass, and paper, plastic has a very
low recovery rate—even if you try to recycle it.
Plastics are so cheap to produce that
recycling doesn’t make much sense from a
financial perspective. Of the billions of tons of
plastic that humans have created since its
invention, only about 9% has been recycled.
Plastic Affects Wildlife

By some estimates, plastic waste kills as many as 1 million

sea creatures every year. There are a number of ways
plastic is deadly to wildlife, particularly marine wildlife. Sea
life can often mistake plastic debris for food—a floating
plastic bag looks like a jellyfish to hungry sea turtles.
Seabirds often eat bottom caps and other hard plastic
debris. Once inside an animal’s stomach, these plastics can
cause blockages, malnutrition, and eventual starvation.
Plastic Harms Humans, Too

Wild animals aren’t the only ones ingesting plastic. Humans

are getting an unhealthy serving of it as well. Microplastics
have invaded the marine food chain, and this includes the
fish and shellfish that we eat. Avoiding seafood won’t keep
plastic off your plate, though. Microplastics have also been
found in beer, honey, and sea salt.
Once in the human body, plastic is suspected of contributing
to developmental, immune, and hormonal health problems
like thyroid issues—and even some cancers.
Solutions To Plastic Pollution
It’s a global problem, but there are things
you can do in
your own home and
community to make
things better.
Recycling
The most obvious solution
is to recycle plastic
whenever possible to prevent the
production of new plastics.
Reduce The Amount Of Plastic You Use

Recycling is a good start, but it’s even better to reduce the

amount of plastic that needs to be manufactured in the first
place.
Wherever you live, the easiest and most direct way that you
can get started is by reducing your own use of single-use
plastics. Single-use plastics include plastic bags, water
bottles, straws, cups, utensils, dry cleaning bags, take-out
containers, and any other plastic items that are used once
and then discarded.
Support Companies That
Limit Plastic Use
Many companies are
becoming committed to
reducing plastic waste.
Support stores that refuse
to use plastic bags,
restaurants that use
biodegradable
containers, and online
retailers that prioritize eco-
friendly packaging for
their products.
Organize Activities Or Campaigns In
Order To Increase Public Awareness
As a partner school we did a lot of activities
about the Plastic and Water Pollution in our
school before the mobility in Greece.
Some of our teachers and students gave
presentations about plastic and water
pollution.
Students prepared noticeboards with
posters and slogans about the topic.
Via short skeches
and plays, the
project team tried to
take attention and
raise awareness.
Students brought bags only made of cloth to
emphasize the importance of using‘’less
plastic’’ in our life.
Students used
nonplastic objects
during the cooking
workshops, in the
refactory of the
school and the
library.
THANK YOU!