- Single-use plastics and environmental challenges in Rhodes
Like many island destinations, Rhodes is facing a serious problem with pollution from single-use plastics. Overflowing garbage bins near the sea – or even the sea waters themselves – demonstrate the perennial inability to deal with the problem. The lack of environmental awareness, combined with the limited availability of sustainable alternatives, leads to increased pollution and accumulation of waste.
Education for the environment and the protection of the seas
A new initiative of the TUI Junior Academy Rhodes comes to address the problem through education. The program includes seminars on environmental protection and the preservation of marine ecosystems for students and teachers of all levels. All 99 primary and secondary schools in Rhodes are participating in the initiative, combining theoretical knowledge with field actions and promoting sustainability in the public sector.
Participation of 17,000 students and 2,000 teachers
The three-year program is implemented by the TUI Care Foundation in collaboration with the Greek organization All For Blue. The goal is to actively involve over 17,000 students and 2,000 teachers in marine protection workshops and extensive coastal cleanups. The plastic waste collected is converted into recycling bins that are placed in public spaces, such as the town hall, in collaboration with local authorities. Thus, the program also acquires a visible footprint on the island.
First results: 9,000 students, 47 schools, and an art festival
Already in the first months of implementation, approximately 9,000 students from 47 schools participated in the seminars. The first phase concluded with a major art competition, where students created works on the theme of protecting the seas, using materials they collected from the beaches of Rhodes. The exhibition was hosted by the Dodecanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry and highlighted the children’s ingenuity and passion for a cleaner planet.
Messages from the initiative’s contributors
Katerina Topouzoglou, founder of All For Blue, said:
“I am deeply grateful to the TUI Care Foundation for its support. Through education, we hold the key to preserving the beauty of our oceans. We are creating a movement that protects marine ecosystems and strengthens sustainable tourism.”
Alexander Panczuk, CEO of TUI Care Foundation, emphasized:
“Education is the basis for sustainable development. By giving children the tools to protect the environment, we are shaping tomorrow’s leaders and making Rhodes a model of sustainable tourism.”
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