Residents and volunteers remove more than 600 kilograms of waste from Ibiza’s coastline

Ibiza’s coastline was the setting this weekend for two beach-cleaning initiatives that resulted in the removal of more than 600 kilograms of waste. The activities, held in Cala Gració and along the coast between Es Cubells and Ses Boques, brought together local residents, associations, sports clubs, businesses and volunteers committed to protecting the marine environment.

The two initiatives also coincided with World Beach Day and the celebration of World Cleanup Day on September 20th, the World Day of Cleanup.

The Beach Cleaning Day, organised by Facsa with the support of Sant Antoni de Portmany Town Council, took place on Saturday, September 19th, at Cala Gració beach. Participants removed around 300 kilograms of waste from the coastline. The event brought together 75 volunteers, including local residents, sports clubs, associations and businesses. UD Portmany, CF San Rafael, Fútbol Club Luchador, UTE Portmany, l’Associació de Voluntaris d’Eivissa, Ibiza Publicidad, Barbería Mister Beards and Taller de Metal Siras also took part.

The local business Pomelo Playa also joined the initiative, providing refreshments for participants at the end of the activity. Sant Antoni Mayor Marcos Serra and Councillor for the Environment, Cleaning and Beaches Pepita Torres also took part. The initiative has been held in the municipality for the fourth consecutive year and aims to raise awareness of the importance of preserving the natural environment and promoting proper waste management.

Meanwhile, around 15 residents and volunteers took part in a community coastal clean-up between Es Cubells and Ses Boques cove as part of the Guardianes de la Mar project, with the support of the Es Cubells Association. Participants used kayaks, paddleboards and walked along the coastline to reach different areas of a particularly challenging stretch, where cliffs and limited land access make cleaning difficult. Over four hours of work, more than 300 kilograms of waste were removed.

The items collected included a large amount of waste associated with boating activities, such as drums, boat parts, fibreglass remains, rudders, masts, aluminium structures, boat fenders and cushions.

Fishing gear, thick ropes, nets, marker flags, plastic agricultural crates and sacks were also collected, along with everyday waste such as bottles, cans, bags, bottle caps, wrappers and plastic film.

The clean-up received support from local businesses including Bar Es Llumbí and Chiringuito Ses Boques. Sant Josep de sa Talaia Town Council provided the necessary equipment for the activity and assisted with the removal and management of the collected waste.

One of the participants expressed her satisfaction at being able to contribute to the protection of the coastline, describing the spirit of the initiative as a way of “giving back a little of everything the sea gives us.”

The two initiatives highlight the commitment of residents and groups from different parts of the island to cleaning and preserving Ibiza’s coastline, particularly in areas where currents and difficult access contribute to the accumulation of waste.