Project duration: 05/2025 – 06/2026

Status: ON-GOING

The challenge

Plastic waste poses significant threats to the environment, wildlife, and human health, especially in coastal regions. Plastic pollution in Cyprus and in the Mediterranean Sea, particularly single-use plastics in schools and surrounding communities is a growing issue.  

The solution

The “Schools for Change: Leading the Plastic Free Movement – Destination Zero Waste in Cyprus and Greece”, an initiative by TUI Care Foundation and Cyprus Sustainable Tourism, seeks to reduce plastic waste in Cypriot schools while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility. The A’ Primary School of Ayios Athanasios in Limassol is the first school in Limassol to participate in the initiative. The project will provide educational resources and sustainable infrastructure, enabling the school and its surrounding communities to take an active role in combating plastic pollution and delivering long-term environmental, health, and social benefits.  

Project’s deliverables

• School Selection and Engagement: The A’ Primary School of Ayios Athanasios in Limassol was selected to participate in the initiative. The project team will engage with students, teachers and parents to ensure active participation and support.  
• Educational Program Development: An environmental education program will be implemented to educate students on the negative impacts of plastic pollution through interactive lessons, workshops, and field trips. 
• Installation of Refillable Water Station and Reusable Bottle Distribution: A refillable water station will be installed at the school, along with reusable branded water bottles for each student, promoting eco-friendly habits and reducing plastic waste. 
• Sign Maintenance Contracts: A maintenance contract will be established with the school to ensure the refillable water station is sustainably maintained and repaired over time. 
• Waste Audits and Action Plans: Students will engage in waste audits to track plastic consumption before and after the water station’s installation and create action plans based on their findings to further minimize waste. A minimum of two waste audits will be conducted during the Project. 
• Community Engagement and Public Events: Community events (minimum of two community and public events) will be organized to showcase student efforts and outcomes, involving parents, community members and local businesses to promote plastic-free practices. 
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Continuous monitoring will assess project progress and gather feedback from participants to enhance the program while measuring reductions in plastic use through waste audit data. 

A bit about the organization

Cyprus Sustainable Tourism Initiative (CSTI) aims to contribute to sustainable tourism development in Cyprus that conserves the environment, supports the local economy & promotes local culture. CSTI has developed several projects to demonstrate the benefits of sustainable tourism to the environment, the society & the economy, to promote local culture & to develop close links between local suppliers & hoteliers/operators, & also to educate & inform the public regarding sustainability issues. CSTI has gained tremendous experience through its projects in tourism. It has introduced sustainable practices, provided training & support to hotels, local enterprises & producers and developing an extensive network with all the stakeholders in the tourism industry. Through its projects, CSTI has developed manuals & training sessions addressed to the stakeholders of the tourism industry. All the manuals were supported by workshops & in-house presentations for the HORECA professionals to gain a better understanding on sustainability matters in their business. CSTI has organized Awareness Campaigns related to waste reduction, saving water & energy, recycling & reduction of single use plastics. CSTI co-organized an International Conference “Waste Management in the Hotel Industry” with great success. CSTI has the expertise to carry out the proposed project related to Sustainable Waste Management and Biodiversity Conservation. 

*  The project is funded by Island Oil Holdings.