Under the sea: Fighting Greece's plastic trash problem

Greece has the European Union's longest coastline, poor waste management and an addiction to single-use plastic that is littering the country's seabed.
In this Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2018 photo a worker gives directions to the truck drivers at the country's largest landfill at Fyli on the outskirts of Athens. Greece has the European Union’s longest coastline, poor waste management and an addiction to single-use plastic that littering the country’s seabed. To fight the problems, volunteer divers are working as underwater garbage collectors to clear debris - mostly plastic - that is littering the sea floor. | AP
In this Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2018 photo a worker gives directions to the truck drivers at the country's largest landfill at Fyli on the outskirts of Athens. Greece has the European Union’s longest coastline, poor waste management and an addiction to single-use plastic that littering the country’s seabed. To fight the problems, volunteer divers are working as underwater garbage collectors to clear debris - mostly plastic - that is littering the sea floor. | AP
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In this Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 photo a crane lifts up tires from the sea as a volunteer diver of Aegean Rebreath gives directions in Legrena about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Athens. | AP
In this Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 photo a crane lifts up tires from the sea as a volunteer diver of Aegean Rebreath gives directions in Legrena about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Athens. | AP
In this Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 photo George Sarelakos, second left, joined by four other volunteer divers of Aegean Rebreath prepare to dive in Legrena about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Athens. | AP
In this Thursday, Feb. 15, 2018 photo George Sarelakos, second left, joined by four other volunteer divers of Aegean Rebreath prepare to dive in Legrena about 60 kilometers (37 miles) south of Athens. | AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 a volunteer collects a plastic bag from a stream during a trash collection at Kolovrechtis wetland near Halkida, Evia island. | AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 a volunteer collects a plastic bag from a stream during a trash collection at Kolovrechtis wetland near Halkida, Evia island. | AP
In this Thursday, June 29, 2017 photo provided by Aegean Rebreath volunteer divers collect bottles and plates from the sea floor in Saronic gulf near of Athens. | AP
In this Thursday, June 29, 2017 photo provided by Aegean Rebreath volunteer divers collect bottles and plates from the sea floor in Saronic gulf near of Athens. | AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 volunteers gather bags with garbage during a trash collection at Kolovrechtis wetland near Halkida, Evia island. | AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 volunteers gather bags with garbage during a trash collection at Kolovrechtis wetland near Halkida, Evia island. | AP
In this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018 photo a bicycle is parked next to plastics and other garbage on a beach in Neo Faliro, southern Athens. | AP
In this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018 photo a bicycle is parked next to plastics and other garbage on a beach in Neo Faliro, southern Athens. | AP
In this Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2018 photo earthmovers push mountains of garbage as seagulls fly over the country's largest landfill at Fyli on the outskirts of Athens. | AP
In this Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2018 photo earthmovers push mountains of garbage as seagulls fly over the country's largest landfill at Fyli on the outskirts of Athens. | AP
In this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018 photo an man fishes on a beach in Neo Faliro, southern Athens. | AP
In this Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018 photo an man fishes on a beach in Neo Faliro, southern Athens. | AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, Spanish volunteer Fran Vargas digs the sand to pull out buried bag as others hold bags with garbage during a trash collection at Kolovrechtis wetland near Halkida, Evia island. | AP
In this Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018, Spanish volunteer Fran Vargas digs the sand to pull out buried bag as others hold bags with garbage during a trash collection at Kolovrechtis wetland near Halkida, Evia island. | AP

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