Despite its relatively small size, the Mediterranean Sea is home to one of the richest and most distinctive marine biodiversity ecosystems in the world. Many countries border the Mediterranean, including our beloved Italian peninsula, which boasts some of the most admired coastlines anywhere in the world.
And yet, according to a recent analysis conducted across 53 beaches, 44,882 pieces of waste were recorded, equal to 8 pieces of litter for every step taken (1 m).
The study classified the waste according to material, shape and size, revealing a worrying prevalence of plastic and polystyrene fragments and cigarette butts: together, these three categories account for 31.6% of all the waste found on our beaches.
We at #TrameMediterranee wanted to see these alarming figures with our own eyes and, together with Plastic Free, we took part in a plastic clean-up on the beach of Marina di Mezzatorre.
Tomorrow, we will therefore launch a challenge on TikTok to help people rediscover the unique beauty of our seas through collective action. Because the sea belongs to everyone, and therefore everyone must take care of it.
Follow us on Instagram and TikTok and stay updated: @tramemediterranee
Source: https://www.legambiente.it/comunicati-stampa/spiagge-e-fondali-puliti-e-lindagine-beach-litter-2022/
