- The Balearic-wide initiative mobilised 312 young people from Ibiza and Formentera, who removed 584 kilos of waste and traveled nearly 15,000 kilometres
- The winning classes enjoyed an underwater photography workshop this morning, led by MARE, to discover marine biodiversity
18 June 2026, Formentera – Students from 1st and 4th year ESO at IES Marc Ferrer have won the prizes for Ibiza and Formentera in both categories of the sixth edition of ‘Kilometres of Plastic for Iris’, a Balearic-wide educational initiative promoted by Ibiza & Formentera Preservation alongside Menorca Preservation and Mallorca Preservation to raise awareness among young people about the impact of plastic pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. The initiative is organised by the 0 Plastic association and this year is supported by Herbusa Group in Ibiza and Formentera.
The latest edition of ‘Kilometres of Plastic for Iris’ saw the participation of 312 young people from Ibiza and Formentera, who became true “0 Plastic Warriors,” covering a total of 14,698 kilometres and removing 584 kilos of waste from the natural environment. In Ibiza, 192 students participated, completing a total of 12,430 kilometres and collecting 260 kilos of waste, while in Formentera, 120 students covered 2,268 kilometres and removed 324 kilos of trash.
In recognition of their involvement in the project, the winning classes enjoyed an underwater photography workshop this morning, led by MARE, a marine conservation project that uses photography to highlight the value of the Balearic Sea. The activity began at Marc Ferrer school with a course where students learned the basics of this discipline and discovered “how photography can become a tool to bring the public closer to the richness and fragility of the marine environment,” according to the organisers.
Afterwards, the participants moved to the beach to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice and enjoy the Mediterranean through the lenses of their cameras.
The director of Ibiza & Formentera Preservation, Inma Saranova, highlighted “the involvement, effort and commitment shown by the students of IES Marc Ferrer throughout the initiative” and congratulated them on results that reflect “how young people can play a fundamental role in protecting the environment and the sea that surrounds us.”
For his part, Toni Ribas, CEO of the Herbusa Group, which supported this sixth edition in Ibiza and Formentera, added that, “The results of this initiative reflect the value of combining direct environmental protection with environmental education. We have brought the importance of proper waste management closer to hundreds of students. Undoubtedly, both actions are fundamental to building more sustainable islands”
Outstanding participation
At the Balearic level, the sixth edition of ‘Kilometres of Plastic for Iris’ mobilised a total of 698 students from Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, who collectively covered 28,099 kilometres and collected 870 kilos of waste in the islands’ natural areas. The director of Ibiza & Formentera Preservation expressed particular pride in the local results and celebrated, “the highest participation in the Balearic Islands, as well as the greatest number of kilometres covered and the largest volume of trash removed.” Saranova added that this “demonstrates the genuine commitment of Ibiza’s youth and school teachers to environmental protection.”
In addition to removing trash from the natural environment, the project has allowed students to better understand the impact of plastic pollution and actively participate in protecting the environment through a proposal that combines environmental education, physical activity, and citizen science.
“It’s exciting to see how the combination of sport, science, and ecology sparks such a powerful response in young people. With ‘Kilometres of Plastic for Iris,’ we aim for new generations not only to understand the problem of marine pollution but also to feel part of the solution through direct action. The participating students have demonstrated extraordinary environmental awareness, reminding us that caring for our ocean is a collective responsibility that they have already proudly embraced,” said Alba Carbonell, co-founder of 0 Plastic.
Since its launch in 2021, Kilometres of Plastic for Iris has mobilised thousands of young people in the Balearic Islands to take action against plastic pollution through environmental education, citizen science, and direct action on the ground. The initiative pays tribute to the memory of Iris Goldsmith, a young environmental activist and daughter of Ben Goldsmith, co-founder of the three foundations behind the project.
