The real solution to the problem of waste is to stop using single-use plastic, which is the biggest enemy of rivers, seas and oceans, said Saša Palibrk from the EU info center.
The EU info center announced that the non-governmental organization (NGO) Zero Waste, in cooperation with a large number of local NGOs and numerous partners, under the auspices of the EU Delegation in Montenegro, today organized a cleaning action dedicated to the European and International Coastal Cleaning Day.
It is stated that over 500 volunteers collected waste from 19 locations in 15 Montenegrin cities.
As they said from the EU info center, the staff of the EU Delegation in Montenegro joined the action by cleaning the Buljarica beach in Budva.
"The message of the action itself is to draw attention to the urgent need to protect rivers, seas and oceans," the announcement states.
It is pointed out that about 95 percent of the waste that ends up in rivers, seas and oceans ends up on the seabed, destroying plant and animal life, and only five percent of the waste ends up on the shores.
Palibrk said that this means that the waste collected from the coasts is only the tip of the iceberg.
"The real solution to the problem is to stop using single-use plastic, which is the greatest enemy of rivers, seas and oceans," Palibrk added.
He stated that in Europe 80 to 85 percent of waste on beaches is plastic and that the EU has taken concrete steps to ban single-use plastic and to force large companies to limit their production and consumption of plastic.
As he said, they expect Montenegro to follow that example.
"A few days ago, Montenegro celebrated 30 years of being an ecological state. It is high time to turn words into actions and reduce single-use plastic, as well as to make waste disposal and treatment more efficient," Palibrk said.
It is stated that the cleaning operation was held at 19 locations in Podgorica, Danilovgrad, Nikšić, Žabljak, Mojkovac, Pljevlja, Bijelo Polje, Berane, Gusinje, Herceg Novi, Tivat, Kotor, Budva, Bar and Ulcinj.
"In addition to the cleaning of the waste, it is audited every year, and every year the results are very similar. More than half of the waste consists of single-use bottles. The biggest polluters are global, as well as local companies that produce beverages in single-use packaging," the statement said.
Milica Boca from the Zero Waste organization said that every year over 65 percent of the collected waste is made up of plastic bottles, that this is the biggest problem and that they are focused on that this year.
She stated that plastic, glass bottles and cans will be audited and that with this action they want to raise people's awareness to reduce the use of single-use plastics.
"Also, everyone should show by example how to change. It's a start to stop buying products in single-use packaging." said Boca.
The collected waste will be categorized and documented as part of the global initiative 'BrandAudit.
"The obtained data will be used to make recommendations to manufacturers and municipalities regarding waste reduction, its collection, reuse and better recycling. The media will be informed about the results of the action in Montenegro at the beginning of October," the statement added.
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