BlueCycle nominated for
the Earthshot Prize 2022

Blue Cycle, the only initiative in Greece that deals with the recycling and upgrading of marine plastic waste according to the principles of the circular economy, is among the nominees for the most important award worldwide for environmental issues, the Earthshot Prize 2022.

The international prize, established in 2020 by Prince William and the Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, is awarded annually to 5 efforts that address some of the biggest environmental challenges and have a significant impact on the future of the planet.

BlueCycle focuses primarily on the recovery of plastic fishing and marine equipment, implementing a holistic program to address the problem of managing and recycling this waste. It deals with all stages of the process, from the collection of the material to its processing and the creation of new products.

Ghostnets, pots, lines and other fishing gear are collected through an ever-expanding nationwide network of more than 30 collection points. Material from fishermen, fish farms, mussel farms, manufacturers, cleaners, environmental organisations and local stakeholders is collected and processed at the BlueCycle Lab in Piraeus. This is the only specialized laboratory for the recovery of marine litter in Greece, where the only robotic 3D printing lab (largescale 3Dprintinglab) operates. Based on research and new technologies, BlueCycle designs and creates 100% recyclable products of high quality, from traceable raw material, proving in practice that the path to sustainability is through the implementation of the circular economy.

BlueCycle’s nomination for the Earth shot Prize 2022 is supported by three of the 250 major global organisations selected as presenters for the prize: the EPLO’s Institute for Sustainable Development, CommonSeas and the PCAI initiative.