The international coastal clean-up campaign 2013 launched on Saturday September 21st with the participation of thousands of people in more than 80 countries all over the world.

In Greece the campaign is for the 22nd year coordinated by HELMEPA (Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association). National campaign’s launch clean-up took place in S.E.F. (Stadio Eirinis kai Filias), organised by HELMEPA in collaboration with the Hellenic Recovery Recycling Cooperation HE.R.R.Co.

The event was a great success as 100 of students and teachers from Geitona and Ionio Schools participated along with other volunteers collecting 150 garbage bags of marine litter.

The main volume consisted of recyclable material, such as 2.125 plastics bottles, 2.029 caps and 1000 straws that were properly separated by the volunteers and collected by HE.R.R.Co.’s vehicle. Among the common litter 75 lighters, car parts and tires, chairs etc, was recorded. National data is collected to be announced at the beginning of November as the coastal and underwater clean-ups are continuous till the end of October.

Scientists from HCMR  (Hellenic Centre For Marine Research) participated in material recording to introduce vollunteers to the E.E.A.’s "Marine litter Watch" mobile application as part of the PERSEUS project. 

The HELMEPA press release is available in Greek language here and the litter record sheet also here.