More than 100 commitments to reduce plastic pollution in Menorca

The "Plastic Free Menorca Commitment" project, developed by the Menorca Without Plastic Alliance, promoted by Menorca Preservation, accompanies and advises companies outside the HORECA sector to reduce the use of plastic in their Establishments. The initiative consists of a completely free certification process through which companies, advised by the technical team of the Menorca Plastic-Free Alliance, analyse and define actions focused on 6 categories: Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Collect, Recycle and Reflect. Since its launch in 2023, 14 companies have obtained the "Plastic Free Menorca Commitment" certification, managing to commit to carrying out a total of 114 commitments: "we help companies understand what plastic is, the great impact it generates and we encourage them to take action. The truth is that it is not difficult for us much, because all the companies that have participated have welcomed our suggestions very positively and have even been encouraged to go further," explains Marta Pérez, coordinator of the Menorca Without Plastic Alliance and responsible for the "Plastic Free Menorca Commitment". At the same time, he highlights that "to date, we have managed to add 13 actions focused on RETHINKING, 37 actions focused on REDUCING, 18 actions aimed at REUSE, 9 actions aimed at COLLECTING, 14 actions related to RECYCLE and 23 actions dedicated to REFLECTING".

As for the certified companies, Enza La Brocca, from Blue Islands Diving, highlights that "Discovering the plastic-free Menorca Alliance was a very important step on our way to reduce the use of plastic, both in our dive center and in our activities. With their support and guidance, we were able to achieve very good results in a very short time. In addition, their total willingness to organize and participate in beach and seabed clean-up events is second to none. All the support we can receive when we need it, I think you couldn't ask for better. We are very proud to have achieved the "Plastic free Menorca Commitment" certification, but we do not stop there. With their help, we are confident that we can improve even more."

"Plastic Free Menorca Commitment": The certification process step by step

First, the company interested in participating in the initiative contacts the Menorca Plastic-Free Alliance via email (info@plasticfreemenorca.org or directly through this form.

The process then starts with an initial diagnosis to identify both the use and the role that each company can play in reducing plastic pollution. The possible commitments and actions to be carried out by the company are defined below, always with the advice of the Alliance's technical team, which proposes different ways to reduce the use of plastics, encompassed in the following categories:

1. Rethink. Have you detected changes that you can make to the design of your products and/or services that allow you to prevent the use of plastic?
2. Reduce. Do you consider it feasible in the short term to reduce the generation of waste created in the manufacture of your products and/or service and/or activity?
3. Reuse. Could you reuse a waste you generate in your company for your own business or for others? Have you considered being part of any circular economy initiative?
4. Collect. Do you have any initiative of your own or participate in any action to clean up the environment?
5. Recycle. Do you recycle the plastic waste you generate? Do you give your plastic waste a new life by transforming it into raw material for the manufacture of new plastic products?
6. Reflect. Do you think you can provide, through your own activities or actions, a space that allows you to explain and reflect on the plastic pollution?

Finally, once their situation has been assessed and commitments identified, they are encouraged to draft a policy focused on reducing the use of plastics in their establishments and they are given the "Plastic Free Menorca Commitment" badge. It should be noted that the cost of this certification is fully financed by Menorca Preservation and does not involve any outlay for the company.