The Coastal Marine Research Laboratory of the Research Technology Foundation, based on Crete, has reported that their research has determined that around 100,000 tons of plastic waste end up in the Mediterranean each year.

The alarming level of waste is posing a significant threat to marine ecosystems, whilst large amounts get deposited on the coastlines, degrading the environment and creating a negative impression to both locals and tourists. However, the increase in tourism to the Mediterranean has in itself added to the overall problem.

The report identifies coastal settlements around the Mediterranean are the largest source of pollution, contributing 50% of the total mass of plastics entering the marine environment annually, whilst 30% is attributed to shipping routes and 20% to estuaries emptying into the sea.