While the Greek islands are normally associated with happy sun-and-sea holidays, mountains of trash are also a common eyesore that authorities have failed to deal with in an effective manner. It was this failure that recently prompted the University of the Aegean and the non-governmental organisation Sails for Science, which specialises in the sustainable development of islands, to organise a conference on the island of Samos on the issue of waste management in the Aegean archipelago.

Scientists from around the world and local government representatives from many of Greece’s islands attended the event to discuss their concerns, set ambitious goals and explore new synergies and partnerships.

Petra Campbell, CEO of Pacific Aid Australia, discussed a program run by the organisation to improve the quality of drinking water on Easter Island in the south-eastern Pacific, which had been affected by unregulated dumping.

“In cooperation with the Tahitian authorities, we designed a program for proper waste management, brought a machine that separates solid recyclables from other waste, informed the local population on the effects of using plastic bags, helped change legislation and offered incentives for the use of biodegradable or paper bags and boxes,” Campbell told the conference. Special attention, the expert said, was given to toxic waste.

“Special sealed containers are now used to store car batteries, as well as used car oil and lead batteries,” she said. Medicine packages are now returned to pharmacies that in turn give them back to drug manufacturers for reuse, while hospital waste is also destroyed according to international hygiene standards, Campbell added, listing the successes of the program.

The Australian scientists went on to suggest that all islands with warm climates should be equipped with special bins for rapid composting and that countries facing waste management challenges should promote the use of recyclable nappies.