A total of 12 participants successfully collected 540 cigarette butts, 2.8 kilograms of plastics and microplastics, and 0.24 kilograms of other waste during a so-called “Colillatón” (cigarette butt cleanup) at Playa d’en Bossa. This event was organised by IbizaPreservation and supported by the Marine Forum as part of a nationwide campaign led by Surfrider Spain.
The initiative to collect cigarette butts is being organised in order to “raise awareness about the negative effects of this type of waste on the marine environment”, explained the organisers of the initiative.
The action was carried out in a coordinated manner across the Balearic Islands, in collaboration with Mallorca Preservation and Menorca Preservation. Together, these three organisations are members of Conservation Collective, a global network of environmental foundations.
The “colillatón” took place as part of the fifth edition of the Foro Futuro, held yesterday at the Es Caló de s’Oli auditorium in Sant Josep and organised by the Marine Forum. Targeting young people aged 13 to 17, the event featured environmental activist Jon Kareaga, who inspired attendees to take greater care of their natural surroundings.
“The involvement of young people in the “colillatón” is crucial for raising awareness about the pollution caused by cigarette butts, which can contaminate up to 10 litres of seawater per cigarette. We are very pleased with the response and commitment demonstrated today in Ibiza,” said Inma Saranova, director of IbizaPreservation and a member of the Forum’s Promoter Group.
