Blue Standard

Plastic-Free Aeolian Islands

Oceanic Global has partnered with the Aeolian Islands Preservation Fund and Marevivo to implement the Blue Standard in the islands of Lipari and Panarea which have banned single-use plastic items.

Oceanic Global has partnered with the Aeolian Islands Preservation Fund and Marevivo to support the islands of Lipari and Panarea as they shift to plastic-free practices aligned with local policy. The Municipality placed a ban on the use and trade of single-use plastic products, which went into effect on 10th January, 2020. The ban forbids the use, selling and marketing of single-use plastic items including: straws, stirrers, cups, plates, bowls, utensils, and bags. This project aims to assist with the implementation of this local law as well as the EU Law set to come about in January 2021. It also aims to supersede the minimum requirements of this law, and be more ambitious and holistic in its approach.

The three partners are providing plastic-free solutions to the hospitality and tourism sector on the islands by implementing Oceanic Global’s industry solutions program, the Blue Standard (Blue). Oceanic Global is providing the framework of Blue, training consultants, and overseeing implementation process with businesses. The Aeolian Islands Preservation Fund hired two local consultants to provide on-the-ground support to engage businesses. Marevivo is lending their experience and public engagement / outreach support as an active community partner with successful initiatives including most recently a program to install water filtration refill stations at schools on the islands to replace single-use plastic water bottles.

As a part of this initiative, the three parties have created a region-specific step-by-step guide outlining how to eliminate single-use plastics from operations and recommending locally available alternatives. This region-specific guide outlines how to remove single-use plastics from your operations, including a list of vetted local suppliers of alternative products with purchasing deals where possible. Businesses sustainability achievements will be recognized through the Blue Standard.

As of October 2021, 9 businesses earned recognition through the Blue Standard with a majority of businesses earning the 2-Star Blue Seal and one business earning the 3-Star Plastic-Free Blue Seal.

This work continues to rollout across Lipari and Panarea. Alongside conducting assessments and working directly with businesses, the local consultants are connecting approved sustainable vendors with local distributors on the islands so that plastic-free alternatives will be more readily available. Additionally, this work goes hand-in-hand with improving waste management infrastructure, which is an essential priority, particularly in island communities.