A hundred volunteers participated last Saturday in the 1st SAVE University Conference (Sustainability-Action-Volunteering-Environment) organized by the Calp City Council and Environmental Volunteering of the University of Alicante together with FASC, ACCIONA, Project Libera Pueblos free of garbage, Calpe Nautical Club, Dive&Dive, Parcs Naturals, Red Cross, Sanamares, De Amicitia, Alicante Science Park, Lankoa and Coastal CleanUp International Project.
Throughout Saturday morning, volunteers carried out garbage collection as part of a research project for the categorization of Waste. An underwater hunt was carried out in Cala del Racó and a land hunt was carried out in Las Salinas and the lower area of the Penyal Natural Park. In addition, a 'plogging' race was carried out, consisting of running while collecting garbage.
Each participating volunteer filled out a technical sheet on the type of waste collected that will allow the waste to be categorized and conclusions to be drawn that will be announced shortly. At the end of the morning, 800 kilos of waste were counted, mainly debris but also wheels and plastics.
Obtaining data and analyzing it transforms beach cleaning into a research action to know the types and possible sources of marine litter, in this way the participating volunteers become
data generators that are later used in research centers and universities.
The mayor of the Environment, Pere Moll, has pointed out that "this project appeals to social and environmental responsibility to generate change. From the City Council we are betting on environmental education to increase citizens' awareness and knowledge of environmental issues or problems.
