Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free, Destination Zero Waste Cyprus and Greece
We’re delighted to share that the “Keep Our Sand and Sea Plastic Free – Destination Zero Waste Cyprus & Greece” project is now in its third phase and will continue through to 31 May 2028.
Building on the success of Phases I and II, this important initiative of the TUI Care Foundation and the Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI) continues to grow in impact and reach, bringing together tourists, tourism businesses and residents to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics in coastal regions. In doing so, we aim to prevent plastic waste from entering the sea and to further reduce marine pollution.
The initiative supports practical, community-based solutions that strengthen collaboration across sectors while contributing to a more circular economy and healthier coastal environments.
We hope you will join us on this “Plastic Free” journey and sign up here.
A heartfelt thank you to all our partners, supporters and participants for making this journey possible and for helping us create lasting positive change.
Exciting initiatives that have evolved through the project include:
We are very proud of these initiatives and the impact they are creating. We invite you to explore the links above to learn more and join forces with us in driving positive change.
Why? The tourism industry is engaging with the issue of plastic pollution, which is a particular threat to ocean flora and fauna. Plastics make up 95% of sea and beach waste across the Mediterranean, and the Mediterranean Sea has one of the highest levels of plastic pollution in the world, exacerbated by water circulation patterns.
Cyprus beaches are an important resource for both tourism and local wildlife. However, 80% of rubbish collected on Cyprus beaches is plastic waste.
Our approach. We will work with the tourism sector to reduce demand and consumption of single-use plastics – such as plastic straws, cups, cutlery and hotel toiletries. The project will raise awareness of the issue with residents, school children and tourists to reduce demand, and work with tourism businesses to change procurement practices. We will also collaborate with regional authorities to embed longer-lasting change.
The ‘Keep our Sand and Sea Plastic Free’ project Phase I – an initiative of TUI Care Foundation delivered by the Travel Foundation in partnership with CSTI was designed to run for 3 years in Ayia Napa, Protaras and the wider Famagusta region of Cyprus from 2019 to 2022. It focused on reducing the amount of single-use plastic waste generated and discarded in the resorts, as well as promoting recycling.
Expected Outcomes:
Increased awareness of the problem of single-use plastic among 80% of residents and tourists.
Resorts well on their way to becoming plastic-free
70% reduction in consumption of targeted single-use plastic by tourism businesses.
For more information and sign up visit: https://sandseaplasticfree.org/
