plastic pollution

Eurobank beach, seabed clean-up clears 822 kg of waste

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Eurobank beach, seabed clean-up clears 822 kg of waste

– Over 70 Eurobank Cyprus TeamUp volunteers, along with their family members, NGO “AKTI,” and Blue Thunder Diving, cleared 822 kg of waste from the beach and seabed at Karnagio, Limassol.
– 588 kg of the waste was mixed, 190 kg was recyclable PMD, and 44 kg was retrieved from the seabed by divers.
– Karnagio is one of the most environmentally-polluted beaches in Cyprus, chosen for the clean-up initiative by Eurobank Cyprus.
– The President of the Board of Directors of AKTI highlighted the importance of initiatives like this in combating plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.
– The Director of Blue Thunder Diving praised the efforts of Eurobank Cyprus and emphasized the importance of keeping the seabed clean for divers.
– Eurobank Cyprus has a Corporate Social Responsibility program that includes the TeamUp group for volunteering in events of social benefit.

Plastic,  talks end without agreement on curbing production

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Plastic,  talks end without agreement on curbing production

Negotiations for a global treaty to address plastic pollution concluded without agreement on sustainable plastic production limits.

Mismanagement of Natura2000 sends Cyprus to the European Court of Justice, EU Commissioner says

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Mismanagement of Natura2000 sends Cyprus to the European Court of Justice, EU Commissioner says

Virginijus Sinkevičius, the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, emphasizes the importance of addressing climate change and environmental protection. Cyprus, due to its geographical position, is expected to be significantly impacted by climate change, especially in sectors like agriculture, tourism, and fisheries. Sinkevičius highlights the need for all Member States, including Cyprus, to implement climate targets to mitigate these effects. Additionally, he stresses the importance of implementing provisions for Natura2000 areas to ensure ecosystems can withstand increasing pressures, warning that Cyprus may end up in the European Court over Natura2000 issues if necessary actions are not taken.

As plastic treaty talks open, countries more divided than ever

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As plastic treaty talks open, countries more divided than ever

Countries are facing tense negotiations in Canada over a global plastics treaty that could be a significant pact to address climate emissions. Plastics production contributes to climate emissions and could increase unless limited. Delegates are divided over including production limits and banning certain chemicals in the treaty. The U.S. wants the treaty to be ambitious, while some countries argue for global measures and targets.

Lidl Cyprus: Practices with a positive impact on people and society

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Lidl Cyprus: Practices with a positive impact on people and society

Lidl Cyprus aims to consistently leave a positive imprint on the country by focusing on Corporate Social Responsibility.

Chemicals in plastics far more numerous than previous estimates, report says

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Chemicals in plastics far more numerous than previous estimates, report says

A report found that plastics contain at least 3,000 more chemicals than previously estimated by environment agencies, totaling over 16,000 chemicals, a quarter of which are considered hazardous to human health and the environment. This discovery raises concerns over pollution and consumer safety. The report, funded by the Norwegian Research Council, highlights the importance of addressing the full life cycle of plastics and the chemicals they contain to solve plastic pollution effectively. The research indicates that plastic chemicals can leach into water and food, potentially leading to adverse health outcomes such as fertility issues and cardiovascular disease. The study also points out the need for greater transparency regarding the chemicals used in plastics, including recycled products, noting that a quarter of the identified chemicals lack basic information on their chemical identity. Only 6% of the chemicals found in plastics are regulated internationally, underscoring the need for a global treaty to address these issues. Negotiations for such a treaty are ongoing, with the aim of finalizing it by December in Busan, South Korea.

The life cycle of plastic: microplastics found in turtles, ’ stomachs

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The life cycle of plastic: microplastics found in turtles, ’ stomachs

Microplastics, including bottle caps and a Halloween toy, were found in the stomachs of 135 loggerhead turtles washed up or killed on the shores of northern Cyprus. Over 40 percent of these turtles contained large pieces of plastic. The study, led by Dr. Emily Duncan from the University of Exeter, found a total of 492 microplastic pieces, with one turtle containing 67 pieces. The plastics were mostly sheetlike (62 percent), clear (41 percent), or white (25 percent), with polypropylene (37 percent) and polyethylene (35 percent) being the most common polymers identified.