Beaches without waste
Much of the rubbish left on beaches is not biodegradable and poses a serious risk for marine flora and fauna marines and, as a result, for human beings too. Avoid bringing single-use containers to the beach and always use its waste bins.
“The best waste is that which is not created”
A lot of the waste that is generated on the beaches is not biodegradable.
Plastics are the most dangerous, since they remain unchanged over a long time and, moreover, as a consequence of the mechanical action of the waves and ultraviolet radiation, they can be fragmented into microscopic fibres, called microplastics. This fragmentation facilitates the incorporation of toxic substances into the trophic network and creates a huge risk for marine flora and fauna and the humans who base their diet on marine organisms exposed to this pollution.
Because of this, we must avoid using single-use containers and always use the rubbish bins.
Go Zero Waste
The Zero Waste Strategy, “the best waste is that which is not created”, is based on prevention, reduction of waste generation, reuse and selective collection, with special emphasis on organic matter.
In 2012, Barcelona City Council approved its Waste Prevention Plan, to encourage the reduction of city rubbish, involving all the relevant players (the general public, businesses, commercial establishments, organisations, associations and administrations), and thus to be able to progress towards a city that produces less waste, is more efficient in its use of resources and with a greater internalisation of environmental costs.
This summer, the Zero Waste strategy is incorporated into the beaches’ environmental policy, with the use of the reusable glass, in collaboration with the beach bars.
Go “zero” style following these steps:
- The beach bars serve takeaway drinks in returnable glasses.
- You pay a €1 deposit.
- The beach bars return your €1 when you return the glass.
In addition, we’d like to learn about the perceived barriers and convenience of the existing collection systems in the eyes of the general population. This information will allow us to identify the best management system(s) and propose technical, legislative, and financial measures that could be implemented in Catalonia.
Zero Waste
This summer, the Zero Waste strategy is incorporated into the environmental policy of the beaches, with the use of the returnable glass given out at the beach bars.