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The BlueBag initiative
Published on 23 March 2021
Croatia
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
About this good practice
BlueBag initiative is an eco-tourism programme designed for residents, tourists, fishermen and boat owners aiming at volunteer cleaning of the coastline.
Resources needed
The cost of one plastic bag with all the printing and packaging costs is around fifty euro cents, and since the initiative is based on voluntary work, this is the main and mostly the only cost of the practice.
Evidence of success
From 2014 till 2020. more than 40.000,00 BlueBags were distributed to the residents, tourists, fishermen and boat owners. The bags were filled with the debris found on the coastline and then disposed at the appropriate collection point. The initiative was recognized and implemented by numerous coastal authorities, utility and public and private companies in the Republic of Croatia by following the original idea started on the island of Krk.
Potential for learning or transfer
The BlueBag initiative has a significant potential to be implemented in every coastal community who is affected with the problem of debris waste, and is seeking to implement a practice which can be more innovative and motivating than the regular cleaning campaigns. For the potential transfer of the practice to other EU regions, few simple facts can be highlighted. First, removing the debris that the sea brings to the coastlines is not dangerous. Secondly, the cleaning process can even be fun because many items collected on the shore in imaginative hands can become interesting and original artistic creations. And thirdly, the effects of implementing the "Blue Bag" action are immediate, the cleaned beaches immediately shine with a new glow. Each participant in the "Blue Bag" campaign can publish their good work on social networks and thus encourage other people to get involved in the action. Spending five minutes to beautify the environment should not be a problem for anyone.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
Organisation
The association "Obala naših unuka"
Croatia
Jadranska Hrvatska
Contact
Expert Associate