ILUNION Hotels Joins “Mares Circulares” for a Beach Cleanup at Cala Galdana
ILUNION Hotels Joins Mares Circulares for a Beach Cleanup at Cala Galdana
September 25, 2024
ILUNION Hotels and Coca-Cola gathered 41 volunteers today for a beach cleanup at Cala Galdana in Ferreries (Menorca), as part of the Mares Circulares program, which celebrates its seventh year in 2024. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with the Ferreries Town Hall, Coca-Cola, and our hotel group.
A total of 66.47 kilograms of waste were collected by volunteers and sorted by the Chelonia Association for recycling. All collected data will be recorded, analyzed, and added to the project’s database. This information, alongside continuous monitoring at 80 locations since the project’s launch in 2018, will be made available to researchers and scientists for the development of innovative solutions with a real impact on marine conservation.
Patricia Ureña, Environmental Coordinator at Chelonia, noted: “This activity helps raise awareness among volunteers about the global issue of marine litter. Through a training talk and hands-on waste collection, it not only builds environmental consciousness but also strengthens collaboration between different entities for the betterment of our shared home.”
Ricardo Muntaner, Communications Manager at Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Iberia, emphasized “the importance of partnerships in achieving the objectives of Mares Circulares for a world and marine environment free of waste. It’s essential to act to preserve these ecosystems and raise awareness about the need for a circular economy. One unique aspect of this project is that, after almost seven years, we now have a rich database that greatly benefits the scientific community in finding solutions to this issue. We thank all the volunteers who have set a great example of what can be achieved through teamwork.”
Yolanda Horrillo, Head of Partnerships and Institutional Relations at ILUNION Hotels, added: “Our partnership with CCEP goes far beyond a simple agreement. It inspires us to engage with our stakeholders, not only by improving our environment but also by building stronger relationships.”
The mayor of Ferreries, Pedro Pons, expressed his satisfaction with the second edition of this beach cleanup organized by Mares Circulares and ILUNION Hotels, highlighting that “although a significant amount of waste was collected, this shows the need for continued awareness campaigns to keep beaches clean and manage waste properly.” He also mentioned the possibility of expanding the initiative to untouched beaches like Cala Mitjana to assess the impact in less frequented areas. Iván García, director of ILUNION Menorca, pointed out that these kinds of actions “help promote sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of tourism, while also reinforcing the community spirit.” Participants also attended environmental awareness talks and enjoyed a healthy breakfast and lunch at the hotel.
On a national level, Mares Circulares collected more than 418 tons of waste in 2023, a 25% increase compared to the previous year, thanks to a collaborative network of over 10,600 volunteers and fishing guilds from 17 ports. Last year alone, 175 cleanup operations were carried out on beaches and aquatic environments, including 24 marine reserves and protected natural areas, along with 8 underwater cleanups.
About Mares Circulares
Mares Circulares is a Coca-Cola initiative in Spain and Portugal, launched in 2018, with the support of associations such as Chelonia and Vertidos Cero, the Ecomar Foundation, the Aula del Mar Mediterráneo Foundation, LPN (Liga para a Protecção da Natureza), and Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Over its six editions, it has involved more than 1,200 organizations — including NGOs, city councils, schools, sports clubs, and maritime associations — and over 44,000 volunteers, including 120+ fishing vessels.To date, Mares Circulares has carried out over 631 beach and aquatic cleanups and 21 annual marine reserve interventions, removing 2,298 tons of waste, including 24.82 tons of PET. The program also supports scientific and entrepreneurial projects that provide circular economy-based solutions to marine litter, with 16 research studies and 8 startups recognized so far.Educational efforts have reached over 83,000 people across 220+ municipalities. Since 2022, the program includes a cross-cutting focus on biodiversity and climate change, with support for Posidonia oceanica conservation — a vital Mediterranean seagrass known for its biodiversity, carbon capture, and environmental services.
Mares Circulares aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
About ILUNION Hotels
ILUNION Hotels currently has 31 hotels located in Spain’s main urban and holiday destinations. Its model is pioneering and a benchmark in universal accessibility, diversity, and social and employment inclusion of people with disabilities in the tourism sector, based on a firm belief in true equality of opportunity. It is the first hotel company to obtain the Global Certificate in Universal Accessibility (UNE-170001-2) for all its properties and the EFQM 600+ Seal. ILUNION Hotels offers its guests unique experiences, supported by an exceptional team of more than 1,800 professionals, of whom approximately 700 have some type of disability and more than 200 belong to groups with difficulties in employment inclusion. In its 15 Special Employment Centers, this group represents more than 70% of the workforce.