Drawing on the successful case in the Adriatic sea, MedWaves is expanding the Low Plastic Zone initiative across the Mediterranean sea, particularly in the pleasurable island of Djerba (Tunisia) and the effervescent Lebanese capital, Beirut. 

The Low Plastic Zone (LPZ) Initiative aims to engage hotels, restaurants and cafes (HORECA sector) in reducing disposable plastics during their daily operations. It is a community of forward-thinking businesses committed to reducing plastic waste by eliminating problematic single-use plastic (SUP) products, including amenities, straws, bags, and cups.

In each location, 5 businesses will be selected for a mentorship program during 2025 comprising the assessment of their single-use products (not only plastic). In fact, single-use of products, regardless of the material, shall be avoided to reduce overall environmental impact. Based on the assessment and the selection of specific measures, each company will elaborate an action plan, whose implementation will be supported by the mentors. The results of the first stage will be presented in Tunisia and Lebanon in a dedicated event to a wide range of businesses, which will be invited to take part at the LPZ by signing a Declaration of Commitment. Businesses signing this engagement will then receive communication materials and will be advised on tools to reduce their plastic consumption.

The mentorship program builds on the assessment tool HAPI CHECK, developed by Save the Med Foundation, which has been adapted to the Tunisian and Lebanese contexts. Often the alternative solutions to single use plastic products available on the market are not truly sustainable despite their green labels and claims. By applying the Honest Alternatives to Plastic Index (HAPI), local partners will be able to assess the environmental impact of the single use plastic products in use at each of the participating businesses, objectively comparing them to existing alternative products on the market, and provide a set of feasible options for plastic reduction or elimination and the improvement of the company’s performance.

MedWaves has partnered with remarkable national organisations to implement the LPZ in the countries: the Syndicate of Restaurants in Lebanon and the association Active Citizens for Development and RE-SWEEP in Tunisia. In addition, Foundation Save the Med will provide technical support.

The LPZ initiative is part of the larger EU-funded Marine Litter Med Plus project. This project further supports the implementation of the updated Regional Plan on Marine Litter Management in the Mediterranean at national, sub-regional and regional level. The project is implemented by UNEP/MAP-Barcelona Convention Secretariat and MAP Components, including MedWaves, which is responsible for the plastic pollution prevention through the Low Plastic Zone approach.

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RESOURCES 

Access the project brochure for Lebanon (in ENGLISH) and Tunisia (in FRENCH).