PASCAL Private Secondary School and PASCAL Private Greek School, accredited with Eco School and Blue School statuses, have initiated a project known as reBLUE. This endeavor seeks to enhance students’ understanding of the circular economy and address the pressing issue of plastic waste.
One of the identified challenges is the significant amount of plastic beach toys discarded by tourists visiting Cyprus, contributing to environmental degradation. Our goal is to raise awareness about the careless production and disposal of plastic within our society, emphasizing actionable solutions for our students and community.
Given the persistence of plastic in the environment, the project focuses primarily on advocating for reduced plastic production to effectively tackle this issue.
Promoting Sustainable Practices on Blue Flag Beaches
The project’s environmental objective is to minimize plastic waste on Cypriot beaches. To achieve this, tourists are encouraged to reuse beach toys available in handcrafted wooden boxes placed strategically on seven prominent beaches: Konnos, Madd, Malama, Vathi Gonia, Gliko Nero, Makronisos, and Landa. This initiative not only aims to maintain their Blue Flag status but also promotes sustainable tourism practices.
Starting June 21st, these boxes will be monitored continuously by students, who will analyze user feedback in collaboration with local municipalities. Through this process, the Cypriot community will gain insight into the impacts of plastic pollution, while participating students will grasp the principles of the circular economy. Supporting such sustainable actions is crucial for safeguarding our ecosystems.
Recognition and Support
ReBLUE has garnered recognition both locally and internationally. It received funding from the Foundation for Environmental Education’s ‘Litter Less’ program last year and has been acknowledged as a good practice project by Cymepa this year.
The initiative is part of the Blue Schools program coordinated by the Network of European Blue Schools and is supported by Cymepa, the national Eco Schools agency in Cyprus, as well as the municipalities of Ayia Napa and Paralimni.
Furthermore, the project aligns with European Maritime Day initiatives aimed at promoting European efforts in sustainable maritime practices. Through reBLUE, we strive not only to clean our beaches but also to inspire lasting change in our approach to environmental stewardship.