Zero Beach – Plastic Prevention Scheme for Beaches
© Ecounion
Zero Beach – Plastic Prevention Scheme for Beaches
This initiative aims to define
a prevention waste/marine litter protocol as a waste management framework for
beaches, which can be implemented without necessity of a proper “waste
legislation” (zero waste, single use plastics, etc.). The Zero Beach protocol
can be framed as a quality scheme or label to distinguish the environmental
performance of beaches (as blue flag initiative does). This protocol is
comprised of two parts:
- A waste management system to
prevent beach and marine litter.
- An educational scheme for
beach users.
The main features of the
scheme will be:
- Transition system: it is not a
substitute of a waste regulation (eg. Plastic Single Use, Zero Waste or Deposit
schemes), but a waste management scheme to help coastal municipalities and Marine
Protected Areas to prevent waste and marine litter.
- Replicability: Zero Beach is a
protocol that can be implemented at any beach.
- Preventive: Eliminates plastic
waste on beaches and marine litter.
- Commitment levels: Zero Beach
aspires to works towards zero waste? And is comprised of three stages: Single
Use Plastics, Free Plastic, Zero Waste.
- Multi-stakeholder engagement:
the scheme defines waste protocols for every beach user; it will also involve
key players and consult them when needed.
- Educational: the scheme
requires the development of a communication plan for beach users regarding the
initiative and its beach conservation efforts.
- Rewarding: the scheme will
recommend actions to reward pro-environmental behaviours and introduce economic
incentives.
- Surveillance: the scheme
requires the establishment of a waste scheme assessment protocol to ensure proper
implementation based on Marine Litter Watch Protocol.
The project is planned in
three stages; this call funds only the first stage:
- Define the Zero Beach Scheme (2018-2019).
- Implement a test in one municipality (2019) using Marine Litter Watch
Protocol.
- Define the Scheme and the implementation system and introduce the scheme in
different municipalities and Marine Protected Areas (2019).
The long-term objective (4 years) is to introduce this
system in collaboration with NGOs and international bodies on the Mediterranean