On beaches across Europe and the world, EU staff are cooperating with local communities to clean up marine litter as part of the #EUBeachCleanUp campaign. Launched on 19 August, this year’s campaign will run through October, with actions taking place in more than 80 countries, on all populated continents.
This year, due to innovative partnerships with the United Nations and the Smurfs, the campaign reaches thousands of citizens of all ages. The success of #EUBeachCleanup depends on its combination of awareness-raising and concrete call to action.
Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella is proud of the campaign and invites everyone to participate:
The European Union has some of the most ambitious policies to fight marine pollution in the world. Together with the United Nations, we want our oceans to be cleaner and healthier – in line with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14. This year, we have a new partner: the Smurfs. Blue, brave and with an exceptional appeal to young and old, they are the ideal partners of our campaign. Join our events and help us build a global wave of ocean activism!
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The many #EUBeachCleanUp events, taking place in the coming weeks, will bring tons of litter from seas and shores to local waste management facilities. The events are organised by EU embassies and UN offices across the world, jointly with local authorities, schools, NGOs and private companies.
Via the campaign, the EU and partners want to engage the public and raise awareness, especially among children and youth. When picking up litter from the beach, people will recognize many single use items: cotton buds, straws, plastic bags or cutlery. Participating in such an event can lead to long-term behavioural change.
Every year, 8 million tons of plastic litter are dumped into the sea and beach clean-ups will not alone tackle this massive challenge.
Prevention is key. That is why the EU has adopted a European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy along with legislative measures to reduce the production and consumption of the 10 single-use plastic items most commonly found in marine litter
the EU highlights.
