What we do

EcoMedIslands directly addresses Mediterranean islands’ common waste prevention and management challenges by implementing innovative, circular and transferable solutions:
1. Circular economy promotion: The project prioritizes waste prevention as the first step in the waste hierarchy. Strategies include responsible consumption, reduction at the source and community-driven awareness campaigns. Additionally, EcoMedIslands will establish recycling facilities, reducing landfill
dependency and advancing circular waste management.
2. Smart waste management with IoT & AI: IoT sensors will monitor real-time waste bin fill levels, while AI-driven algorithms will optimize collection routes based on waste generation patterns. This will reduce unnecessary collection trips, operational costs and carbon emissions. This data-driven approach is new for many Mediterranean islands, where waste collection remains inefficient and reactive. The University of Western Macedonia’s tested solution for remote rural areas will be adapted and implemented.
3. Pilot projects & replicability: Targeted pilot projects will test innovative waste prevention and management practices before scaling up. These pilots will serve as replicable models for other insular territories, ensuring knowledge transfer and broader adoption.
– Beyond waste management: Unlike conventional projects that focus mainly on collection and disposal, EcoMedIslands tackles waste at its source. Through behavioral change campaigns, stakeholder engagement and policy recommendations, the project fosters a long-term shift towards sustainable waste practices among residents, businesses and tourists. By integrating technology, prevention strategies and transnational cooperation, EcoMedIslands goes beyond traditional waste management, paving the way for scalable, circular solutions tailored to insular regions.