We analysed more than 7,800 pieces of plastic waste to understand and raise awareness of plastic pollution on the island

The Plastic Free Menorca Alliance, promoted by Menorca Preservation with the support of other environmental entities, has analysed a total of 7,804 plastic waste present on the island's coastline, successfully culminating its project "Characterisation and awareness of plastic pollution on the beaches of Menorca". This initiative, which has had the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment of the Government of the Balearic Islands, arose with the aim of raising awareness, visualising and analysing the plastic pollution present on the island's coast, through the organisation of waste collections with educational centres, social entities and local population. 

A project with environmental and social impact

The initiative has been developed between August and December of last year, managing to involve 169 participants through 9 field trips. To this end, schools, associations and citizens in general have collaborated, promoting a culture of environmental awareness and direct action in the fight against plastic pollution. The activities included the collection, classification and analysis of waste on different beaches, allowing the collection of valuable data on the origin and typology of the waste found. In addition, educational sessions for schoolchildren were also included with graphic materials on the impact of waste on marine fauna. 

In total, 166.8 kg of plastic waste (7,804 units) have been collected and analysed, exceeding the initial target of 150 kg. As for the waste analysed, the presence of plastic caps and lids (2,248 units), laminated plastics (1,999 units), polystyrene fragments smaller than 50 cm (770 units), fishing nets and waste (719 units) and lollipop sticks and cotton buds (466 units) stands out. 

Procurement of equipment and materials 

Thanks to the support received, the project has been able to acquire specific equipment to improve efficiency in waste collection and analysis, including: 20 telescopic grippers to facilitate waste collection without direct contact; 1 transport trolley to mobilise work material;   60 identification vests for the team of volunteers; 2 vacuum cleaners for the collection of microplastics; 2 telescopic sieves to analyse the composition of smaller waste; special gloves for children to encourage their participation in a safe environment; reusable baskets for efficient waste collection; 2 scales for the precise measurement of the weight of the collected waste and storage boxes for the organization and separation of collected waste. 

This equipment has made it possible to optimize field trips, making the collection and analysis process more effective and accessible for technicians and participants. 

Results and next steps 

The data obtained have been incorporated into the database of the Plastic Free Menorca Alliance and will be used to continue with studies on the presence of plastics in Menorca with the aim of designing strategies that contribute to their reduction. In turn, they have also been shared in collaboration with European projects such as Good Karma Projects' MedPellets and Surfriders' Biomedia, strengthening global knowledge about plastic pollution in the Mediterranean. 

During this year, the Plastic Free Menorca Alliance wants to continue increasing its knowledge about this problem, and has created a WhatsApp dissemination channel (https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VazaGRZGehEOFRhEIi0z) to encourage citizens to get involved and participate in these collections. 

To this end, it has planned: the organization of 25 field trips with educational centers, social entities, population and companies; the creation of an online map with the data collected; and, the design and implementation of a "Plastics Observatory" equipped with a set of indicators and values that allow us to improve knowledge about management, the impacts and current regulations in relation to plastic waste.