More than 250 kilos (551lbs) of waste was collected by some 150 volunteers on Voula Beach this month as part of a cleanup ahead of World Environment Day (June 5) and World Oceans Day (June 8).
The initiative, a collaborative effort led by the Chatzigakis Foundation, in partnership with the Municipality of Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni, DAY Group SA, and fashion label Marie Raxevsky, brought together volunteers from associations, local government, NGOs, businesses and schools as part of efforts to raise awareness about environmental protection and encourage participation and volunteerism.
Among the more surprising finds during the cleanup was a discarded motorbike, discovered underwater.
Beyond waste collection, the event featured a creative robotics workshop, where children learned how to repurpose materials found on site into innovative constructions, encouraging a hands-on relationship with recycling and reuse.
“The ocean surrounds us, unites us, nourishes us and collectively we have a responsibility to protect it. The environment is our only home and through collective action and inclusion we can talk about a ‘cleaner’ present and a more sustainable future,” said Chatzigakis Foundation General Secretary Elisabeth S. Chatzigakis
