Typhoon Project cleans Greek coastline, shares lessons learned
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The Typhoon Project, run by the Athanasios K. Laskaris Public Benefit Foundation, has removed over 1.1 million kilograms of waste from nearly 5,000 beaches across Greece over seven years.
Since 2019, the program has combined coastal cleanups with scientific research and data collection to understand and address marine pollution. The project reports that consistent cleanup efforts on revisited beaches show an average 80 percent improvement in cleanliness.
The Typhoon Project also found that marine pollution travels freely across borders, meaning waste discarded in one location can end up on remote shores, highlighting the shared responsibility for keeping the seas clean. They observed that microplastics pose a particularly large problem because they are difficult to remove and persist in ecosystems for decades. Through its work, the project has built the largest database of coastal waste in the Mediterranean Sea, providing valuable data for research and policy.
The Typhoon Project emphasizes that cleanup is just the first step, advocating for changes in mindset, pollution prevention, and a stronger connection between people and the marine environment. They collaborate with universities, research institutions, local communities, and other organizations to maximize impact and foster innovation.
