Inspiring Zero Waste Stories: Plastic Free Balearics

This Zero Waste Day we are celebrating action taking place in the One Planet Network to transform waste to a circular economy resource. These inspiring and replicable stories remind us all of the great benefits of Sustainable Consumption and Production approaches in tackling harmful waste whilst unlocking opportunity.

Encouraging the reducing of hospitality sector single-use plastic in the Balearic Islands, ‘Plastic Free Balearics’ has been supporting Sustainable Consumption and Production by providing tools for businesses to find eco-friendly alternatives to aid waste elimination.  

Incentivizing businesses to adopt eco-friendly practices aimed at removing waste and conserving marine resources, the intiative promotes research and development in waste reduction, ensuring accountability through regular assessments and certifications.  

The initiative collaborates with stakeholders such as ‘IbizaPreservation’, ‘Save the Med’, and ‘BeMed’, and has received funding and support from prominent musicians ‘Depeche Mode’. With a budget of approximately €115k, 'Plastic Free Balearics’ implements actions like certification development, utilizing the ‘Honest Alternatives to Plastics Index (HAPI)’ for assessments. Its outcomes include certifying over 100 businesses and reducing 30,467 kg of plastic waste by the end of 2023.  

By offering tools and methods applicable globally, especially in tourist-centric areas, it offers replicability and scalability opportunities, whilst delivering impact locally to support businesses adopt Sustainable Consumption and Production.

See more inspiring and replicable ideas in our Zero Waste Knowledge Hub.