By Abdullahi Lukman
A vintage sunscreen bottle discovered by naturalist guide Enzo Suma on a beach in Carovigno, southern Italy, has led to the creation of Archeoplastica—an online museum showcasing decades-old plastic waste washed ashore on Italian beaches.
Suma, 44, who has long collected rubbish during his walks near his Salento home in Puglia, found the Ambre Solaire bottle with a price tag in Italian lire, indicating it was produced before the euro’s introduction.
Further research revealed it dated back to the late 1960s.
The discovery marked a turning point for Suma, who began to closely examine every piece of plastic he found.
His museum now holds over 500 items, many from the mid-20th century, offering stark evidence of plastic’s durability and environmental impact.
Notable finds include a 1958 Moplen bottle cap, a clown-shaped honey bottle from Greece, and a 1960s tub of hand cream.
One of the most recent discoveries is a 45rpm vinyl record found by a child, which still played Jimmy Fontana’s *Il Mondo* despite heavy wear.
The project highlights the global plastic crisis, as around 11 million tonnes of plastic enter oceans annually.
A recent expert review described plastic pollution as an under-recognized but growing threat to human and environmental health.
Most of the waste collected by Suma and his team—especially during off-season months—is single-use plastic, including bags, bottles, and fast-food packaging.
While Archeoplastica occasionally partners with traditional museums for exhibitions, its core mission remains raising awareness and reducing plastic use.
Despite growing concern, Suma warns the situation is worsening.
“The ocean is spitting our rubbish back in our faces,” he said, calling for urgent action to limit plastic production and pollution.
