A Shipping Commitment Against Plastics Pollution in the Med.

Shipping is a global industry, making waste management optimisation particularly challenging. The legislative framework and implemented practices vary significantly between home ports and ports of call across the world. In an increasingly connected global economy, the development of fit-for-purpose port reception facilities that encourage and incentivise waste minimization and waste management optimization is a mandatory prerequisite to the achievement of a circular economy within the shipping industry. The Cyprus shipping sector, the 3rd largest in Europe and the 11th largest in the world, can play a leading role towards this direction.

This initiative engages shipping industry stakeholders in Cyprus, including policymakers and port reception facilities, in an annual participatory process that guides the industry towards plastic waste minimization and waste management optimization. Through a specially designed decision support participatory process, the shipping stakeholders of Cyprus identify the problems they face in relation to waste management, record the waste management optimization practices that are implemented by the industry, and provide suggestions and solutions for improving the situation. The process results in the development of a solution-oriented annual Action Plan for Waste Minimization and Waste Management Optimization.