WionDrive News Desk 
Hyundai Motor Company and Healthy Seas have embarked on a major clean-up operation along the western coast of Greece, marking the start of their 2024 activities. This yearlong commitment kicked off with a 10-day intensive clean-up, along with education and community involvement initiatives, aimed at reclaiming polluted and dangerous waters and promoting healthier marine environments for local communities.
Building upon their renewed partnership, Hyundai Motor and Healthy Seas are expanding their efforts to tackle marine pollution on a larger scale. With a dedication to a sustainable future, they will collaborate to combat marine pollution, restore marine ecosystems, and promote a circular economy through a series of global clean-ups and educational initiatives throughout the year.
The initial clean-up operation in western Greece, from May 15 to 24, targeted waters heavily polluted by abandoned fish farms. Volunteer divers from Ghost Diving focused on removing large nets and debris that pose serious threats to marine life. Despite challenges, they successfully removed numerous pollutants, including ring pipes, fish farm nets, polystyrene parts, and other harmful debris, which will be sorted and recycled, with nylon parts being regenerated into ECONYL yarn by Aquafil for use in sustainable products like floormats in Hyundai Motor’s vehicles.
The clean-up addressed significant ecological damage caused by abandoned fish farms, which release debris, plastics, and pollutants into the marine environment, disrupting marine ecosystems and endangering flora and fauna. By removing these hazards, Hyundai Motor and Healthy Seas are restoring safe waters for local communities who depend on clean seas for tourism and leisure.
In total, 42.7 tons of marine litter were retrieved, including 11.3 tons of fish farming nets. The collected litter will be recycled, contributing to a circular economy and reducing waste.
This initiative aligns with Hyundai Motor’s ‘Progress for Humanity’ vision, which aims to create shared value by scaling social impacts and building a sustainable business ecosystem. It is part of the company’s ‘Hyundai Continue’ CSV (Creating Shared Value) initiative, focusing on Continue Earth, Continue Mobility, and Continue Hope. The partnership with Healthy Seas is a crucial component of the Continue Earth pillar, fighting ocean pollution while fostering a circular economy.
