Mersin’s Winning Project under the REMEDIES Open Call 2
The Mersin Metropolitan Municipality in Turkey is leading a powerful environmental effort through its project “Unite for Plastic-Free Coasts! (Up-FreeCoasts),” selected as one of the winners of the REMEDIES program’s Open Call 2. With a duration of eight months, the project aims to build a plastic-conscious community along Mersin’s coastline by promoting zero-waste practices and a circular economy. Central to the initiative are clean-up actions, educational activities, and the introduction of smart recycling technologies that bring innovation and awareness together.
Clean-Up Campaign: Mersin’s Coasts Get a New Start
During March and April 2025, the municipality carried out a series of five beach clean-up events across key coastal locations—Soli, Hilton, Taşkıran, Davultepe, and Viranşehir. These events united volunteers from various backgrounds, including students, municipal staff, local civil society organizations, and professional associations. Over the course of three weeks, 182 volunteers participated in the campaign and successfully collected a total of 572.84 kilograms of marine litter, of which more than 292 kilograms was plastic waste.
Each clean-up was more than just a collection effort. Before the action began, volunteers were briefed about marine litter, the dangers of plastic pollution, and the importance of circular economy principles. Participants were also provided with reusable water bottles, hats, t-shirts, compost samples, and flower pots made from upcycled plastic lids collected through the REMEDIES initiative. From Soli Beach, where 25 kilograms of litter were removed, to Viranşehir, where 326 kilograms were collected over two days, each site reflected the commitment of the community. The collaborative nature of these events was key, supported by a network of partners such as Mersin University, the Mezitli Municipality, local NGOs, engineering chambers, and schools.
Educational Activities: Learning That Inspires Action
At the heart of the Up-FreeCoasts project is a strong educational component. Between March and April 2025, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality engaged over 1,300 young citizens through a citizen science campaign. These educational sessions, held at the MERCAN Environment and Climate Science Center, focused on raising awareness among children and teenagers about the environmental impact of plastic pollution and the importance of sustainable living.
The activities were hands-on and engaging. Young participants explored topics such as the damage caused by single-use plastics, creative ways to repurpose materials, composting, and sustainable gardening practices. Designed to be both educational and inspiring, the workshops included interactive games and practical experiments, helping young people understand environmental issues through real-life applications. These sessions did more than teach facts—they encouraged students to adopt more sustainable habits and become advocates for change in their families, schools, and neighborhoods.
Smart Solutions and Community Innovation
A standout innovation of the project was the installation of a Smart Reverse Vending Machine and 6 drinking water fountains along the Adnan Menderes coastal promenade, encouraging the use of reusable bottles and minimizing single-use plastic consumption. The machine allows users to deposit plastic waste and transforms it into small, usable flower pots—demonstrating a creative and tangible way to promote recycling. It also symbolizes how everyday actions, backed by smart systems, can contribute to the broader goal of a zero-waste city.
Watch the Instagram video, here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGVqnPLtuMq/
Watch the YouTube video with English subtitles, here: https://youtu.be/VmUiMJh5IVo
Towards a Cleaner, Greener Mediterranean
Through a combination of action, education, and innovation, Mersin Metropolitan Municipality has set a strong example for how local governments can make a real difference in protecting our coasts. The Up-FreeCoasts project not only contributes to the goals of the REMEDIES program and the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters,” but also serves as a replicable model for other coastal communities across Europe and the Mediterranean.
