Plan Bleu has recently published the note titled “Plastic Pollution in the Mediterranean: Which role for coastal cities and their valuable ecosystems?”, dedicated to plastic pollution in the Mediterranean, a growing threat to the region’s populations and ecosystems.
According to the document, this issue is driven by unsustainable consumption patterns, inadequate waste management, and governance gaps. With around 70% of the Mediterranean population living in coastal urban areas, cities are both the main sources of plastic waste and among the most exposed to its impacts on biodiversity, tourism, fisheries, and public health.
The note examines how coastal cities can become key actors in reducing plastic leakage through integrated approaches. Special attention is given to Nature-Based Solutions and healthy coastal ecosystems — wetlands, river mouths, and seagrass meadows — which can intercept waste and enhance urban resilience.
The document also highlights the importance of effective governance, circular economy policies, improved waste management systems, and citizen engagement to promote sustainable behaviors. By combining ecological, institutional, and community actions, coastal cities can help reduce plastic pollution at the source and protect the Mediterranean Sea and the ecosystems on which they depend.