#RefillCyprus
The stunning island of Cyprus and its once pristine Mediterranean waters are facing unnecessary pollution caused by human waste, particularly plastic. Once in the sea, plastic breaks down into irretrievable microplastic particles. Among the culprits are single-use plastic bottles, contributing to this pressing issue. It is essential to address the problem of plastic pollution at its source by reducing consumption.
That’s why we are proud to introduce Refill Cyprus, a behavior change campaign designed to empower individuals to combat plastic pollution. Our mission is to make it easier for people to reuse and refill their bottles with essential everyday items, ranging from filtered drinking water to body care and cleaning products.
We are living in an age where one million plastic bottles are used every minute all around the globe – and this number is only rising. Unfortunately, the availability of “refill and reuse” alternatives has been severely limited—until now.
We initiated the campaign by increasing access to free water through the installation of water refill stations in heavily frequented public areas from both locals and tourists, beginning with coastal walking paths.
These innovative water stations dispense free and filtered drinking water activated by a touch-free sensor.
Through Refill Cyprus, we aim to:
- Raise awareness about the detrimental effects of plastic pollution on our environment.
- Encourage a shift towards reusable and refillable alternatives to single-use plastic bottles.
- Provide convenient access to filtered drinking water and other essential products in refillable containers.
By promoting a culture of reuse and reducing reliance on single-use plastics, we can make a significant impact on the health of our environment and the preservation of Cyprus’ natural beauty.
EXPANDING ACCESS TO CLEAN WATER
We have successfully installed four Water Refill Stations, and through constructive partnerships with the municipalities of Aglanzia, Ipsonas, Limassol, Paralimni, and Pissouri, we have secured agreements to install an additional ten stations. This collaborative effort demonstrates the growing commitment of various communities towards promoting sustainable practices and reducing single-use plastic consumption. To move forward with the installation of these stations, we are actively seeking funds and exploring various avenues for financial support. We firmly believe that with the continued support of organizations and individuals who share our vision, we can bring about meaningful change and provide even more communities with access to clean drinking water while reducing plastic waste.
AWARD-WINNING YOUTH INITIATIVE FOR OCEAN CONSERVATION
This pioneering scheme, being the first of its kind in Cyprus, has garnered widespread recognition and acclaim. We are thrilled to announce that our efforts were recently honored with the prestigious "Best Youth Initiative for Ocean Conservation" award by EU4Ocean. This esteemed recognition highlights the impact and effectiveness of our project in addressing ocean conservation challenges and engaging young individuals in environmental stewardship. It serves as a testament to the dedication and passion of our team and the positive influence we have had on promoting sustainable practices and protecting our oceans. We are immensely proud of this achievement and will continue to push boundaries and inspire others to join us in our mission for a healthier and more sustainable future.
SHARING SUCESS AT 2022 UN OCEAN CONFERENCE
As a result of this achievement, we were given the opportunity to promote the project at the 2022 UN Ocean Conference held in Lisbon, Portugal. This event provided us with a platform to raise awareness about our efforts in tackling plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives. It was an honor to share our experiences and insights with esteemed delegates from around the world, further amplifying the impact of our project and inspiring others to take action in their own communities. The opportunity to contribute to such a prestigious international conference reaffirmed the significance of our mission and encouraged us to continue striving for positive change on a global scale.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE REFILL STATIONS
You can find the refill stations we've installed at these locations:
1. Germasogeia (Dasoudi, behind Pizza Hut) – Sponsored by Squared Financial & Softinet Solutions
2. Germasogeia (Dasoudi, next to Famagusta Nautical Club) – Sponsored by Exness
3. Ayios Tychonas (Behind Four Seasons Hotel) – Sponsored by Brandenburg Marine, BDO, and Andy’s Motors
4. Malama Beach (Entrance, near Kalifi Beach Bar) – Sponsored by the Chris Yianni Foundation
RECYCLING PLASTIC BOTTLES IS NOT THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION
Many people are unaware that plastic can typically only be recycled once or twice into a new product. Every time plastic is recycled, the polymer chain grows shorter, causing its quality to deteriorate to the point where it cannot be used anymore.
This common misconception that plastic can be recycled indefinitely leads some to justify the excessive use of single-use plastics under the belief that they are recyclable and therefore not contributing to waste. However, regardless of how much plastic we recycle, the demand for plastic remains high, resulting in continued pollution of landfills and oceans, along with increasing emissions that harm our environment.
In fact, out of all the plastic waste generated between 1950 and 2015, only 9% was actually recycled. Despite 65 years of recycling efforts, the plastic pollution crisis persists. Isn't it time we transitioned from non-essential plastic to sustainable alternatives?
Of course, we’re not suggesting that you should stop recycling plastic – all recycling is definitely a step in the right direction. But what we need to do is stop depending so heavily on non-essential plastic, and instead, help to prevent waste entirely.
We are not suggesting that you should stop recycling plastic altogether. Every recycling effort is indeed a step in the right direction. However, what we truly need is to reduce our dependence on non-essential plastic and actively work towards preventing waste from being generated in the first place.
REFILL CYPRUS REDEFINES THE FIGHT AGAINST PLASTIC
Refill Cyprus negates damage caused by plastic because we’re not sanctioning the use of plastic at all. Instead, we’re encouraging people to refill their own, reusable containers, an effective way to stop depending so heavily on plastic, and instead, help to prevent waste entirely. Not only will you be making a positive impact on the environment, but you will also save money by avoiding the continuous purchase of bottled water. It's a win-win situation!
JOIN THE MOVEMENT
Together, let's create a world where refill and reuse are the norm, and plastic waste becomes a thing of the past. Contact us for more information about Refill Cyprus and how you can get involved.
Embrace the change. Refill and Reuse.
