There are many reasons to reduce plastic
and simple ways to do it!
Let‘s find out more about this material that we use every day.
What is plastic?
Plastic is a synthetic material derived from petrochemicals based on fossil fuels, such as natural gas or oil. Plastic degrades very slowly in our environment (450 years), and only a small percentage is recycled.
How much energy is needed to make a disposable plastic bag?
Have you ever considered all the valuable resources and energy it takes to make a single plastic bag? Plastics are made from non-renewable resources, such as oil and gas. According to the environmental organization Clean Up Australia, the oil required to produce nine plastic bags is the same as driving for one kilometre in a car. That’s a lot of energy, resources and money for an item only used once.
This plastic cup of coffee, this plastic bag from the supermarket, this plastic cutlery from your last picnic were used once by you and for a few minutes only. They will remain on the land and the sea of Andros for centuries.
What happens to all our plastic eventually?
According to Greenpeace, about 4.8 - 12.7 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, while in our own Mediterranean, 1,455 tons of plastic just float. In Greece, we produce 180,000 - 300,000 tons of plastic packaging every year, and only a tiny percentage is recycled. The rest ends up in our landfill sites, in our cities and our seas. An average of 1,000,000 plastic cups are served daily in our country, and why so many swim with us every day in our local seas.
Where does your plastic end up?
Since very little plastic is recycled, all the discarded plastic gradually breaks into pieces. Over time, the sun and heat turn the plastic into very tiny pieces - microplastics. Microplastics are small plastic fragments no larger than 5 mm. They are challenging to locate, but they are found almost everywhere. They end up in the water, where fish and animals eat them. They are found in our bodies as they are absorbed by what you eat. They have been found in the placenta of human embryos. They were found in the most isolated parts of the planet, the Arctic Ocean (the North Pole!) and the Mariana Trench (the deepest part of the oceans). And if these places seem too far away are of no concern to you, then look more closely at the sand where your children play the next time you go to the beach.
What does single-use plastic mean? What does the recent ban of disposable plastics mean for you?
Single-use: using an object once only before throwing them away. Examples: cutlery, plates, straws, glasses, styrofoam containers, drink stirrers, cotton swabs, balloon holders and more. And how long is “ one-use”? Remember the last time you enjoyed your coffee in a plastic cup, walking in Andros? Or when you ordered takeaway food at home, delivered in a styrofoam container?
How long? Just a few seconds, minutes and maybe a few hours. However, all single-use items that end up in our environment decompose into microplastics and there they remain for many hundreds of years.
As of July 3, 2021, the production and marketing of many single-use plastics was abolished.
Now what? Are you stressed? Are these items really so necessary in your daily life are you worried how you can survive without them? We all need to change our habits now. If we don't reduce the use of plastic in general, neither we nor the planet will survive. The paradise of Andros and its seas will end up as a plastic landfill.
What is the issue with plastic water bottles?
Become pioneers, choose alternative and sustainable solutions,
choose reusable items
for a cleaner and greener Andros!
Good news!
There are many ways to reduce single-use plastic
Here are some simple solutions that will help us reduce disposable plastics
Simple Solution #1
Embrace the change and choose to re-use
Fabric, wicker or reusable bags
A stylish solution that can be used many times
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
Avoid plastic bottles. Healthier and free!
Reusable food container
To store leftover food in the refrigerator/freezer
Reusable cup
For your takeaway drinks – it will also maintain the temperature of your coffee
Multi-purpose straws
Multi-purpose metal straws or made of wheat or paper
More Ideas
Swap plastic bottles and use glass or metal bottles, and fill them up with water.
Use wooden or metal clothes pegs, and coat hangers.
Use glass food containers.
Think about buying wooden toys.
Avoid plastic packaging and buy some foods in bulk.
Simple Solution #2
Andros, known as Hydroussa, is the greenest island of the Cyclades with plentiful water sources
Geology of the springs
Is it safe?
Spring Water
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:
TEMAK Filtered Water Stations and Fountains
TEMAK is a company based in Acharnes/Attiki, which provides unique equipment around Greece. The TEMAK Water Stations and Fountains filter the local tap water. These stations are regularly maintained by the company itself, and the local tap water is regularly tested by the municipality. See the test results here: at the Municipality website.
TEMAK Filtered Water Station
There are three TEMAK Filtered Water Stations on Andros (Gavrio, Batsi, Korthi) . These stations provide certified, filtered drinking water free of charge. Stations and Fountains filter the local tap water.
You can fill up your water bottles & containers here for all your drinking water needs. Doing this will reduce the need for plastic water bottles, reduce waste, and save money.
TEMAK Filtered Water Fountains
There are TEMAK water fountains in schools all over Andros .
Students can drink certified, filtered water or fill up their water bottles for free.
For more information please contact the municipality: Mrs. Fereniki Moraki, Tel. 22823 60242.
- TEMAK filtered water locations
The TEMAK filtered water stations are located in Gavrio, Batsi, and Korthi.
Reduce plastic
Let’s think and act one step ahead.
Make better choices with the smallest environmental footprint on Andros.
Choose products made of natural materials like wood or fully recyclable like glass, paper or metal.