Considering that the origin of marine waste is mainly plastic, glass or wood, the role of citizens in this regard is key when it comes to tackling this problem by reducing the amount of waste that reaches our beaches and coasts. In our country, projects for the conservation of the marine environment such as the OSPAR convention or the MARNOBA initiative address this problem, having established action protocols that provide for the reduction of the threat to marine life through various mechanisms. However, this goal would not be achievable without the involvement of citizens.

In this context, the Spanish Red Cross (CRE), launches the project “Environmental participation and volunteering on coasts” with which it establishes alliances with the administrations and with its volunteer network for the collection of data and identification of marine litter, has carried out cleaning and awareness work with all the sectors involved in the coasts.

The project has made it possible to raise awareness among the general public about the main threats to biodiversity and coastal ecosystems, through the implementation of a large number of volunteer training campaigns, monitoring and waste collection and raising awareness among all coastal users. A total of 589 volunteers have been trained, carrying out 2,013 volunteer activities, with a total of 3,177 participants.