About us
THE CHALLENGES AND OUR RATIONALE
50% of litter on beaches is single-use plastic packaging.
It happens on boats, beaches, coastal areas, coasts, hotels, islands – and the phenomenon peaks in the warmer months. Many of us have found ourselves in the awkward position of wanting to recycle an empty bottle of water we just drank, without finding a way!
Separate plastic collection systems are often not available at the main waste generation points: catering & hospitality businesses and gathering places – squares, harbours, beaches, boats. Plastic packaging is thus directed to a common waste bin. In some outdoor areas, this bin overflows and a gust of wind is enough for a plastic package to eventually drift into the environment.
Each Summer
MASSIVE QUANTITIES OF SINGLE-USE PACKAGING BECOME WASTE
Summer brings with it a dramatic increase in disposable packaging waste, mainly water and soft drinks. In areas with seasonal tourism the problem is much greater: Millions of disposable packaging accumulate during the warm months on the Greek islands and coastal areas without being recycled. This phenomenon affects both ecosystems and the very value of a place as experienced by visitors and residents. During the high season, plastic pollution in the Mediterranean region increases by 40%.
Whywasteme
SOURCE SEPARATED RECYCLING AT SEASIDE LOCATIONS MADE EASIER
We are developing a new solution for the separate collection of post-consumer single use plastic packaging waste, tailored to locations with a strong seasonal increase in visitors and tourists. Whywasteme’s purpose is to enable and prompt businesses, tourists & locals on islands and coastlines to separately collect & recycle single use packaging waste. By providing the right tools we want to empower both HORECA businesses and individual visitors to contribute to a more sustainable tourism industry in the Mediterranean.
Whywasteme Collectors
MAXIMISING SEPARATE COLLECTION AT POINTS OF CONSUMPTION
The issue of single-use packaging waste is complex, as is the solution, but the first step is simple: more efficient separate collection at the points of consumption of packaging (restaurants, tourist businesses, ships).
With this in mind, we are developing a new solution for the separate collection of single-use flexible packaging for beverages and soft drinks at the resulting locations. Whywasteme's aim is to facilitate and encourage both businesses and holidaymakers towards separate collection.
Whywasteme's separate collection solution combines:
Who we are
Whywasteme is a new company (2021). We are united by a common goal: to develop new solutions so that no packaging becomes waste on our islands and coasts.
Roza Kardaras
Alexandros Kontis
