International Coastal Cleanup Day
Members of the NGO Bijeli Ljiljan participated in a cleanup initiative along the Crnja River, marking International Coastal Cleanup Day by removing waste from the riverbed and its banks.
During the activity, participants witnessed significant amounts of waste in the riverbed, predominantly plastic (bags, bottles), textiles, and, unfortunately, a substantial amount of sawdust.
This cleanup effort was part of a project implemented by Zero Waste Montenegro.
Objectives and Scope
The initiative, which gathers local organizations across the country, aims to clean shores and waterways of waste while simultaneously conducting a Waste Audit to highlight the scale of the problem.
Key Aspects of the Initiative
- Waste Analysis (Brand Audit):
A citizen science initiative addressing the root causes of plastic pollution rather than its consequences. This audit identifies companies whose brands are most frequently found among the waste collected during cleanup actions. - Accountability:
Using the Break Free from Plastic methodology, the collected data serves to hold companies accountable by providing concrete evidence about the waste their products generate. - Goals:
- To clean rivers and shorelines.
- To collect and analyze data that identifies key contributors to pollution.
- To encourage companies to take responsibility for the waste resulting from their products.
The cleanup of the Crnja River represents a vital step toward raising awareness of environmental pollution and fostering sustainable practices within local communities. The initiative highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing environmental challenges and promoting accountability among all stakeholders.
