The sustainable alternative to single use plastic straws is called ‘staramaki’ a name that derives from the Greek word for straw, ‘kalamaki,’ and the Greek word for wheat, ‘stari.’ Made from the long shafts of wheat, which are normally discarded, the ‘staramaki’ is an all-natural solution to the problem of plastic waste.

“The staramaki will be launched in July and we will ask the cafeterias and people that drink coffee to keep the coffee grinds because they have value. If collected properly, they can be transformed to something else; the aim is to have an exchange operation,” Kamberis explained.

The ‘staramaki’ initiative also aims to revive the economy of the Kilkis area, which has suffered due to the wheat monoculture, and create job opportunities that will keep the younger population in Kilkis.

Pompei E Santorini, L'Eternità In Un Giorno

This week we hear from Gillian, who recently spent a couple action-packed days in our city…

“I wanted to send this to you, since I often read the weekly newsletters and remember fondly my visits to Greece…

I’ve just returned from a fun week in Crete, cycling around the island with a group of fellow bike-enthusiasts. Before our return to our various homelands, a few of us decided to spend two nights in Athens (cheaper return flights!). We stayed at a small central hotel, and set out on foot to see what we could see in the ‘capital of crisis’.

In between the large number of closed shop windows and the sadness of the homeless people one can see for the first time ever on Athens’ streets, I must say that I felt an incredible energy in the city. Streets still filled with people, families still out and about, warm smiles & generous spirit all around.

I have great hope for Athens and Greece, that this energy will stamp out the hardships of today and pave the way for a better tomorrow. I feel this is really possible! I look forward to visiting again soon.”

Thanks for this, Gillian…

Until next week,

Jack

In this weekly space, keep up with ‘Jack’ as he navigates daily life in Athens… Anecdotes, stories, hits & misses, the good, the bad and, well, the rest…