LIFE DEBAG
LIFE DEBAG (LIFE14 GIE/GR/001127) developed and implemented an integrated information and awareness campaign to prevent-reduce plastic bag pollution in the marine environment.
The project started on 1/9/2015 and was completed on 31/01/2019. LIFE DEBAG was carried out on two main axes: (i) an intensive information and awareness campaign in the Island of Syros, Greece (project’s pilot area), coupled with monitoring of its environmental and socio-economic impact; (ii) awareness-raising activities and dissemination of the project’s results in Greece, including consulting with key stakeholders so as to co-author legislative proposals to influence Greek legislative bodies regarding plastic bag reduction measures.
LIFE DEBAG project had a successful course and implementation, by over-accomplishing all of its set goals.
Through effective educational and public awareness-raising activities, as well as substantial stakeholder engagement, LIFE DEBAG managed to improve the environmental status of Syros’ marine environment, as confirmed by systematic monitoring.
The environmental impact of the project was impressive. A 67% decrease in the monthly per person plastic bag consumption was recorded in the market, along with an 85% and a 60% plastic bag reduction that was recorded on the beaches and on the seafloor of Syros respectively. Last but not least, LIFE DEBAG contributed significantly to the integration in the Greek law of the Directive (EU) 2015/720 on adopting measures for lightweight plastic bag reduction.
LIFE DEBAG was recognised as one of the most innovative, inspirational, and effective LIFE projects in 2020, and was one of the 15 finalists for 2020’s LIFE Awards.
Click here to download LIFE DEBAG Layman’s Report
LIFE DEBAG is a good example for reproduction and transfer to other regions as well as for other single-use plastics based on its excellent results.
Click here to download LIFE DEBAG Replication Handbook
Relative publications:
Politikos, D.V., Fakiris, E., Davvetas, A., Klampanos, I.A., Papatheodorou, G. (2021). Automatic detection of seafloor marine litter using towed camera images and deep learning. Mar. Poll. Bull. 164, 111974. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.111974
Canals, M., Pham, C.K., Bergmann, M., Gutow, L., Hanke, G., van Sebille, E., Angiolillo, M., Buhl-Mortensen, L., Cau, A., Ioakeimidis, C., Kammann, U., Lundsten, L., Papatheodorou, G., Purser, A., Sanchez-Vidal, A., Schulz, M., Vinci, M., Chiba, S., Galgani, F., Langenkämper, D., Möller, T., Nattkemper, T.W., Ruiz, M., Suikkanen, S., Woodall, L., Fakiris, E., Molina Jack, E., Giorgetti, A. (2021). The quest for seafloor macrolitter: A critical review of background knowledge, current methods and future prospects. Environ. Res. Lett. 16(2), 023001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/abc6d4
Politikos, D.V., Tsiaras, K., Papatheodorou, G., Anastasopoulou, A. (2020). Modeling of floating marine litter originated from the Eastern Ionian Sea: Transport, residence time and connectivity. Mar. Poll. Bull. 150, 110727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110727
Kordella, S., Karapanagioti, H., Papatheodorou G. (2019). The need for a global plastic strategy. In: Karapanagioti, H., Kalavrouziotis, I. (Eds.), Microplastics in Water and Wastewater (pp. 191-208). IWA Publishing, London. https://doi.org/10.2166/9781789060034_0191
Fakiris, E., Christodoulou, D., Kordella, S., Geraga, M., Papatheodorou, G. (2019). Benthic litter density maps through low-cost underwater towed video camera surveys. An integrated approach. 16th International Conference on Environmental Science and Technology (CEST2019), 4-7 September 2019, Rhodes, Greece.