Alonnisos, the island of the Northern Sporades in the central Aegean, is abolishing plastic bags from stores and supermarkets in an effort to go green. The project kicked off on December 1 so as to protect the island’s fragile ecosystem. The initiative is spearheaded by the Mediterranean SOS Network (MedSOS).

The island is the first area of Greece to trade plastic bags for re-usable cloth bags to show that it is serious to protect its lush gren environment that is home to the rare species of Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus).

The island’s motto is “Alonissos without Plastic Bags”! This is not the island’s first effort to go green as it started its recycling program in 2012 with numerous nature activities and sustainable tourism events.