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The general objective of the project is to analyse in depth the phenomenon of the abandonment of End-of-Life Tyres (ELT) on the Spanish coast and to contribute to the reduction of waste in collaboration with agents in the sector. To achieve this purpose, two specific objectives have been defined:

1. To analyse the current situation in relation to the abandonment of NFU on the Spanish coast
2. Reduce the amount of NFU on the coast

During the first phase of the research aimed at improving knowledge about the phenomenon of abandonment of NFUs, the report “Consensus among experts: The abandonment of end-of-life tires on the Spanish coast” has been prepared thanks to the responses of 11 experts in the marine environment and waste management. In addition, the perceptions and attitudes of the agents affected by the abandonment of NFUs have been explored through an online questionnaire. From the 104 responses obtained, the report “Perceptions and attitudes towards the abandonment of end-of-life tires on the coast of the seafarers” has been written.

On the other hand, for the identification of accumulations of NFUs, 514 agents of the sea have been contacted. Of this total, 199 responses have finally been obtained from: Fishermen’s Guilds, Associations of Netters and Shellfish Gatherers, Underwater Activity Centers and Clubs, Marine Research Centers, Environmental Education and Conservation Associations and GALPs. Thus, a total of 62 points not previously registered have been located, 22 of them located within the Natura 2000 Network. Additionally, a web viewer has been developed to access the specific information of each point, adding information from the MARNOBA project.

To conclude phase I, the recovery of waste has been studied, advancing in the field of sustainable construction and applying the principles of the circular economy through the reincorporation of NFU material into the production process. While the findings have been reflected in scientific articles that are currently in the process of publication, the results obtained continue to be analyzed to give rise to new publications and communications at conferences. We are confident that the results of this stage of the project will be transferable to industry.

Phase II has corresponded to the execution of awareness-raising events, face-to-face and online, for a total of 957 people. It should be said that through social networks a total of 18,140 interactions have been obtained and that thanks to this 30 students from the University of Alcalá have volunteered for waste removal actions in areas that had previously been selected. We are referring to specific areas of La Gomera and Ceuta that were within the Natura 2000 Network. In this way, 750 kg of NFUs, submerged from the port of San Sebastián de La Gomera, and 436 units of waste from the beach of La Guancha were removed. On the other hand, despite the fact that in Ceuta the storm prevented the collection of NFUs in the planned area, 622 objects were removed from La Ribera Beach and the nearby seabed. At the same time, other dissemination and awareness-raising actions have been carried out, such as publications in The Conversation, communications at congresses and the online round table organized with the support of the University Institute of Economic and Social Analysis of the University of Alcalá “IAES Dialogues: Women, Fisheries and the Environment”.

After the experience accumulated in each of these actions, we contacted the other projects of axis 5 of the Pleamar 2021 program to jointly prepare a document with our conclusions on marine litter in order to contribute to the improvement of the conservation status of the marine environment. This document was presented at a final streaming event (available here) that not only served to present results, but also allowed for the creation of a space for dialogue and improvement with different agents in the sector.

As a final result of the project, a 30-minute documentary has been produced that reviews the nine months of intense work and aims to show the impact of environmental education and awareness actions, with the leading voice of the group of students who have participated in the volunteering of La Gomera and Ceuta.