NEWS: Students Take Action against Plastic Pollution through cleanup activities in Greece

The Institute of Entrepreneurship Development (iED) implemented two important environmental awareness and clean-up activities in Greece, engaging students, teachers, local authorities, volunteers and active citizens. The activities took place in Igoumenitsa and Velika, Agia, with the aim of raising awareness among the school community and local society about plastic pollution, microplastics and their impact on aquatic and marine ecosystems. Through these actions, JOINABLE continues to promote environmental protection, citizen participation, environmental education and scientific monitoring of plastic pollution.

Environmental Education and Clean-up Action in Igoumenitsa

The first activity was held on Tuesday, 5 May, in Igoumenitsa, organised by iED within the framework of JOINABLE. A total of 42 first-grade students from the 2nd Junior High School of Igoumenitsa, together with their accompanying teachers, participated in an environmental education workshop focused on plastic pollution in aquatic environments. During the workshop, students learned about the threat of microplastics to biodiversity and human health, the importance of prevention, and the need for responsible waste management.

The session was coordinated by Dr. Andreas Almpanis, responsible for the JOINABLE project in Greece. Through interactive educational methods, students were actively involved in the learning process and also contributed to the production of more than 100 Blue n’ Green kits for collecting plastic waste from beaches and forests. The Blue n’ Green kit is a good practice for environmental awareness and recycling education. It includes an environmentally friendly paper cover with an awareness message, a biodegradable bag and a biodegradable glove. The kits are produced by students and volunteers during similar workshops and are distributed free of charge to local communities.

Following the workshop, students and teachers visited Drepano beach, where they participated in a clean-up action. Covering an area of approximately 1,400 metres, the participants collected around 63 kilograms of plastic waste.

Most of the waste consisted of small pieces of nylon packaging, plastic bottles, bottle caps, straws and other single-use plastics. The waste was found in a zone close to the coast and, if not removed, could have reached the sea and gradually broken down into microplastics.

Students Take Action at Velika Beach

The second activity took place on Friday, 8 May, at Velika beach, with the participation of 40 students from the 4th Junior High School of Larissa. This activity was organised in cooperation with JOIST Innovation Park and the Municipality of Agia, aiming to raise awareness among students and the local community about the protection of beaches and the natural environment.

Students, teachers and volunteers actively participated in the coastal clean-up, collecting approximately 140 kilograms of waste, including plastic bottles, bags, aluminium cans and other items harmful to the marine ecosystem. During the activity, Dr. Andreas Almpanis informed the students about the consequences of marine pollution, the importance of recycling and the value of responsible behaviour towards the natural environment.

Through hands-on participation, students had the opportunity to understand that even small everyday actions can make a real difference in protecting nature.

Cooperation for Positive Environmental Impact

The two activities highlighted the importance of cooperation between schools, local authorities, civil society and innovation organisations.

In Velika, the collaboration between the 4th Junior High School of Larissa, iED, JOIST Innovation Park and the Municipality of Agia showed how education and local partnerships can create actions with positive social and environmental impact.

Special thanks are addressed to the teachers responsible for the programme at the 4th Junior High School of Larissa, Ms. Paraskevi Tzeli, Ms. Athanasia Souvli and Ms. Nafsika Tegousi, for their guidance, organisation and continuous support throughout the activity.

In Igoumenitsa, the activity was successfully implemented through the cooperation of iED with the management of the 2nd Junior High School of Igoumenitsa. Important support was also provided by the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Environment, Green Areas and Circular Economy, the Deputy Mayor’s Office for Education, Lifelong Learning, Preschool Education, Culture, Youth and Sports of the Municipality of Igoumenitsa, as well as by active citizens of the area.

JOINABLE’s Mission in Practice

The activities in Igoumenitsa and Velika reflect the core mission of JOINABLE: to address plastic pollution through awareness raising, citizen engagement, scientific monitoring and circular economy approaches. By involving students directly in clean-up actions and educational workshops, JOINABLE supports the development of a new generation of environmentally aware citizens who understand both the causes and the consequences of plastic pollution. The two actions also demonstrated that local communities can play an active role in protecting aquatic and marine ecosystems, especially when education, practical experience and cooperation come together.

Next Steps

JOINABLE activities in Greece will continue in June 2026, with new clean-up and scientific monitoring actions planned at the Pineios River in Larissa and the Pineios Delta. These upcoming actions will further support the project’s effort to record, prevent and address plastic pollution in areas of high environmental importance. Through information, hands-on participation and collective action, the students involved in Igoumenitsa and Velika sent a strong message of responsibility, hope and active participation for a cleaner and more sustainable environment.