AWARENESS ACTIONS TO REDUCE SINGLE-USE PLASTICS FROM LAND, BASED SOURCES INTO RIVERS AND OCEANS, IN MINHO RIVER

OUTCOMES FROM LOWPLAST PROJECT

Abstract

There is an imperative need to reduce disposable plastics and enhance the value of plastic waste. Stakeholders from the HORECA network and the general public participated in 11 awareness actions at Minho river, riverbanks, and at Caminha beach. The aim of these actions was to raise awareness about plastic reduction from land-based sources into the oceans, especially single-use plastics. Over 4.300 plastics were collected and organized in a TOP 5 of predominance: Fragments (< 2,5 cm); Cigarette butts; Fragments (> 2,5 cm); Cotton buds; Bio filters pieces. A digital pedagogical “Collection Litter 365” was created with photographs of waste removed from the aquatic environment and art works that used it as raw material for the artistic process. Simultaneously, 42 restaurants, cafes, hotels and accommodation establishments were surveyed and motivated to eliminate or minimize the use of disposable plastics and improve it's separation for recycling. Plastic water bottles (43%), plastic straws (40%) and plastic bags with handles (26%) were the most decreased items. Plastic separation for recycling reached 29%. Art works were exhibited in Minho river, at the Art Biennale of Cerveira and disseminated via digital communication. These actions were performed during LowPlast Project, promoted by Aquamuseu do rio Minho - Vila Nova de Cerveira Municipality, in partnership with the Portuguese Marine Litter Association, the Foundation Biennale of Art of Cerveira and the Interdisciplinary Art Institute - DTK, in Norway, and financed by EEA Grants.  https://aquamuseu.cm-vncerveira.pt/pages/893.