When you arrive on your holiday in Majorca what do you expect to see? We assume it is not beaches littered in rubbish and murky sea water swamped in plastic and cardboard. With the highest number of tourists arriving in Majorca than ever before, the island can only take so much, with the limited resources this island in the heart of the Mediterranean has access to. This is why we invite you to join in International Coastal Cleanup on 15th September and follow our Gran Isla tips on reducing your impact on your coastal surroundings, so you and others can continue to enjoy this stunning paradise for years to come….

The International Coastal Cleanup began more than 30 years ago in the United States, when communities came together to collect and throw away rubbish littering their oceans. With 80% of plastic rubbish being dumped into the oceans by industries, it is now more relevant and important than ever to be conscious of our impact on the world. Why should you care? The oceans constitute 72% of the earth’s surface and are our primary source of oxygen suppliers. Therefore, if we do not do something soon, this will start (and has already started) to affect human beings as much as it has been affecting the species in the oceans and on land for the last few decades.

Many bars and restaurants do not offer plastic straws as part of keeping our oceans free of plastic

What is surprising is that we do not even realise the amount of plastic we use. Most of the time, we just see plastic as that which comes in packaging or used for utensils or bags… However, we need to stop and think about the smallest items that are made from plastic as well. For example, this year we have seen an increase in support for the Last Plastic Straw project of the Plastic Pollution Coalition. Now, many bars and restaurants all over the planet will not serve drinks with straws unless requested to do so. Some even provide paper straws which are more biodegradable. With more than 500,000,000 plastic straws being used in the USA alone every year, this small but effective changeup is sure to have a huge positive impact over the years to come.

Yet, there is still so much to do, especially when you are on your holiday to Majorca and spending your days on the beaches in Palmanova and Santa Ponsa. Here, the International Coastal Cleanup comes as the perfect opportunity to become more aware of your coastal surroundings and encourage others to do the same. So what simple practices can you follow during your trips to the beach?

1. Always throw away your own rubbish.
2. Try to use the recycling points close by our hotels whenever you can.
3. When leaving the beach, aim to pick up at least 5 pieces of rubbish left behind other people and dispose accordingly.  

By following these very simple but effective tips everytime you leave the beach, you can help us look after our oceans and ensure your beach holidays to Majorca continue to be as enjoyable as your first trip over the years to come!