Why reduce Single-Use Plastic?
Single-use or disposable ?
The term refers to the use of objects that are used only once before we throw them away. And how long does this one use last?
Remember the last time you enjoyed your coffee in a plastic cup while walking in Andros or when you ordered food at home and they brought it to you in a styrofoam box.
The answer is from a few seconds to a few hours.

How to reduce single-use plastic
From July 3, 2021, the production and marketing of this single-use plastic is no longer permitted.
Plastic cutlery, plates, straws, glasses, food containers made of styrofoam, drink stirrers cotton swabs, balloon holders as well as any kind of product that decomposes into microplastics.
“And now what”, you wonder? Are you anxious? Are all these items really so valuable and useful in your daily life that they make you wonder how you will survive without them?
We need to change our habits now. We need to reduce the use of plastic in general and especially single-use plastic. Let’s keep Andros a paradise and stop this waste from polluting our land and sea.
Be a pioneer, invest in alternative and sustainable solutions. Simply reduce single-use plastic and choose reusable items for a cleaner and greener Andros!
Choose these items instead

A fabric, wicker or other reusable bags for your shopping
You will shop with your personal style

Food container and cutlery
For your lunch at work, on the beach or during hiking the paths of Andros

Stainless steel or glass water bottle
You can always fill it for free with Andros water.

A reusable food container
To store leftover food in the refrigerator/freezer

A glass with a straw or a reusable mug for your takeaway drinks
It will also maintain the temperature of your coffee better.

Multi-purpose straws
Multi-purpose metal straws or wheat and paper
Every small step will make a big change. Let’s go one step further by making choices that leave the smallest environmental footprint on our island. Choose products made of natural materials like wood or recyclable glass, metal or paper.
For example:
Wooden or metal pegs, hangers, food containers, toys and a lot of other items that are used for a short time.
Products in bulk and not packed in plastic. Glass bottles to get free water from Andros and not to buy bottled in plastic bottles.
- Where we recycle plastic
- Find the nearest recycling bins and help recycle!

Andros, previously known as Hydroussa, is the greenest island of the Cyclades.
The geology and springs
Is spring water safe?
Tips
The geology and springs
Famous for its ravines and over 10 small rivers that flow all year round. The waters of Andros are unusual in the Cyclades. Andros is mountainous and has high rainfall rates. The most common rock is slate. This causes the “dew” phenomenon. High humidity in the higher altitudes helps water accumulate in the underground aquifers of Andros. This happens even in the months with less rainfall to fill our underground reserves.

Is spring water safe?
This is a good question. Andros spring water is tested by laboratories contracted by the Municipality and the District of Andros.
We have applied to the Municipality of Andros for the results. The plan is to share information about water quality on this website when we receive this data.

Tips for using spring water:
-
How to find a spring? Ask in your village.
-
Drink water from springs that are located at higher altitudes and above which there are no settlements.
-
After heavy rain, avoid drinking water from springs as there is a possibility that the increased flows may reduce the water quality.

- Filtered water stations
There are filtered water stations provided by TEMAK, in the three urban centres of Andros and specifically in Gavrio, Batsi, and Korthi. These stations have a quality guarantee and each station displays the water quality test results
FAQ
What is plastic?
Where do plastics end up?
How much does a disposable plastic bag cost?
Have you ever considered all the valuable resources and energy needed to make a plastic bag? Plastics are made from non-renewable resources, such as oil and gas. According to the environmental organization Clean Up Australia, it takes the same amount of oil to produce nine plastic bags as a car uses in for 1 kilometre.
All this energy, resources and money for an item that you only use once.