Kick-off meeting of the EASY WASTE project

Efficient Ports Waste Management Solutions for Blue Circular Economy

14 October 2025 – Palazzo Guerrieri, Brindisi

Il 14 ottobre 2025, presso Palazzo Guerrieri in Brindisi, will be held on Kick-off Meeting of the EASY WASTEproject will be held, a new initiative co-financed by the Interreg Greece–Italy Programme, aiming to develop innovative solutions for the efficient management of waste in ports and the promotion of a Blue Circular Economy between the two shores of the Adriatic.

A project for a cleaner sea and sustainable management of port waste

EASY WASTE concretely addresses the issue of marine litter accidentally or intentionally dispersed in the waters of the Mediterranean, proposing an integrated approach that involves fishermen, port authorities and institutions.

The goal is to improve port waste collection, identification, and treatment processes, with particular attention to plastic, encouraging its reuse and thus contributing to reducing environmental impact and promoting sustainable practices.

Technological innovation and collaboration between Greece and Italy

The heart of the project is the use of digital tools and advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence systems for the identification of waste through images provided by fishermen and port authorities.

This system will enable more timely, accurate, and responsible management of marine litter, making disposal operations more efficient and transparent.

The project also includes actions of training and awareness aimed at port staff and fishermen, to raise awareness of environmental impact and promote virtuous behavior in waste management.

Partnership and duration

The initiative is led by the National Energy Technological District (DiTNE), based in Brindisi. Project partners are:

• ITS for Sustainable Mobility “Ge. In. Logistic” from Taranto,
• Port System Authority of the Southern Adriatic Sea,
• Patras Science Park S.A. (Greece),
• Municipal Harbour Fund of Pyrgos – Katakolo Port (Greece).

With an overall budget of over 1.5 million euros, EASY WASTE will have a duration of two years, from the May 2025 to May 2027.

A shared commitment to the blue economy

Through cross-border collaboration between Greece and Italy, EASY WASTE intends to create a replicable model for sustainable management of port waste, contributing to the protection of marine biodiversity and the development of a more circular and environmentally friendly economy.

The Kick-off Meeting on October 14 represents the first step in this shared journey towards a more sustainable future for our seas and the coastal communities that depend on them.