Single-use plastics are so common in today's society—from food packaging in stores to straws in bars—that it might be challenging to avoid them while going about daily business. Consequently, plastic debris is now making its way to locations that were previously uncontaminated.

 The Plastic Cup is unique since it combines environmental awareness, sport, and local cultural values into a community and team-building competition ~ A successful PET Cup event took place on the picturesque Lake Tisza in southern Hungary, offering a fantastic day out. Supported by both small and large enterprises, enthusiastic "PET Pirates" swam the nation's man-made lake, hunting for plastic waste as treasure. The PET Cup, short for polyethylene terephthalate, the most common plastic used in bottles and containers, has been held at various waterways since 2013 to promote local efforts in maintaining the cleanliness of lakes.


(Source: Google Images) 

The pirate commanders manned improvised barges to search for trash; Over 20,000 pounds of rubbish were removed from the lake by the competing teams in this year's event.

About The 'Plastic Cup' ~


(Source: Google Images)  
 

This unique competition called the Plastic Cup, takes place in Hungary and spans 70 kilometers from Szatmárcseke to Tiszamogyorós. The competitors, who go by the name Plastic Pirates, gathered more than ten tons of trash along the route. The Belgian company Waste-Free Oceans plans to make furniture out of around half of the gathered plastic; the other plastic will be separated into PET bottles, glass, plastic, and metal and recycled in Hungary. Twenty teams competed in this sixth edition of the game. Initially, they had to construct their entire vessel out of plastic bottles and then fill it with dry ice to make it more buoyant.

“Plastic pollution is rampant along Tisza river. Our team, JoinTisza, collected 80 bags full of rubbish in a single day,” said Magnus Andresen, of UN Environment. His team won the competition by collecting the most waste. “The Plastic Cup shows the power of sport and volunteering in raising awareness about river protection and the importance of waste management,” said UN Environment’s Filippo Montalbetti, another member of the JoinTisza team.

The JoinTisza team was brought together by the EU-funded JoinTisza Project, which supports the shared management of the Tisza River, and the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Team members came from eight countries – Hungary, India, Italy, Morocco, Norway, Serbia, the United Kingdom, and the United States – all determined to beat plastic pollution. “It’s always risky when people who have never met before work together in a new and challenging environment.

The Experience ~ Felt Like Collective Celebration! 

Along the journey, there were displays of traditional goods, songs, and archery, making the cleanup feel festive. A documentary about the Cup and Tisza called "Plastic Pirates," which was produced by the Cup and the non-profit organization Filmjungle. eu, was also screened at several locations, such as farms, churches, and museums. One Plastic Pirate remarked, "It's been an amazing trip... we've helped bring Tisza River in Hungary back to life. We've spent the whole week wet, bitten, tired, and somewhat bruised but it's been amazing." Throughout the year, the Plastic Cup initiative plans talks, exhibitions, waste-collecting initiatives, and events. Its objectives are to protect water bodies, encourage water sports, and foster community development.