0 Plastic Menorca breaks historic record for plastic collection in its 6th 0 Plastic Diving Expedition

0 Plastic Menorca breaks historic record for plastic collection in its 6th 0 Plastic Diving Expedition

0 Plastic Menorca - 0 Plastic Diving Expedition

The sixth edition of the 0 Plastic Diving Expedition, supported by Menorca Preservation, has concluded with an unprecedented achievement: 336 kilos of plastic removed from the Menorcan coastline, the highest amount recorded in the six editions of the project. This milestone reinforces the initiative’s commitment to protecting the marine environment and raising public awareness.

During this edition, volunteer teams and collaborators acted in:

  • Northern area: surroundings of Addaia and Arenal d’en Castell
  • South-eastern area: Isla del Aire

 

In addition, on Cavalleria beach, more than 8,000 microplastic fragments were removed in just 40 m², an alarming example of the invisible pollution affecting our coasts.

Classification and creative reuse

After collection, the waste was weighed and classified by type, which made it possible to identify reusable materials. Among the most significant findings:

  • Solidified oil was handed over to artist Jimmy Pons, who will incorporate it into his artistic project Petrolart, transforming waste into visual awareness.
  • Fishing nets and ropes were given to the Pescart Menorca project, where local craftswomen will give them a second life through the creation of unique pieces.

 

An urgent message: not everything can be recycled

Most of the plastics collected showed an advanced state of degradation, making recycling impossible. This fact reinforces the central message of the expedition: these coastal clean-ups, while helpful in preventing plastic from returning to the sea and endangering living beings, are mainly awareness-raising tools, not definitive solutions. It is urgent that we review our consumption habits and seek sustainable alternatives, especially to single-use plastics.

Beach Talk by Fernando Valladares

One of the most inspiring moments was the intervention of CSIC researcher Fernando Valladares, who gave an emotional Beach Talk entitled A Plastified Civilisation. Valladares stressed the importance of strengthening community bonds and creating networks of collaboration to address the plastic crisis. His message invites us to seek shared motivations that drive real and sustainable solutions, and to allow ourselves to pause in order to reflect and make decisions more consciously.

Acknowledgements

This expedition would not have been possible without the support of numerous organisations and individuals committed to the environment: Menorca Preservation, Artiem Hotels, Menorca Lines, Menorca Experimental, Merak Diving, Diving Menorca, Isas Menorca, Nautica Puig, Sa Punta Menorca, Es Cranc Pelut, Es Cran Roquer, Ocean52, Paupa Menorca, Grahame Pearce, Ajuntament Sant Lluis, Fernando Valladares, Andrea Masó, Menorca Republic, Ecoalf, Pescart Menorca, Petrol.