The problem of marine litter attracts more and more headlines and public attention. Citizens from all over the world are increasingly worried and expect measures to be taken.

Plastics represent 85% of marine debris. The European Union has focused its attention on the 10 single-use plastic products that are most frequently found on beaches, seas and oceans, which together represent 70% of marine litter. This initiative is a fundamental part of the first European Strategy against Plastics.

In this context, the European Union invited Uruguayans to participate in the EU Beach Cleanup initiative, beach and coastal cleaning actions that have been taking place around the world as of September 21 (the International Day of Coastal Cleaning 2019).

Thus, on 25 October, the EU Delegation to Uruguay organized a beach clean-up at Barra de Carrasco (Ciudad de la Costa, Canelones). To this end, it allied with Limpieza de Costas del Uruguay, a group of environmental NGOs dedicated to coastal clean-ups (Coendú, Guardianes de la Costa, Karumbé and Rotaract).

More than 300 students from Uruguayan schools with links to EU Member States joined in the event: students from Deutsche Schule Montevideo, Lycée Français Jules Supervielle, Scuola Italiana di Montevideo, St. Brendan’s School and St. Patrick’s Coillege.

Ambassadors of EU Member States in Uruguay and other European citizens residing in the country also joined in.

The action was an opportunity to:

• take positive and concrete action in Uruguay on a matter of growing public concern;
• raise awareness of an important environmental issue;
• show strong support for climate action;
• Share a day of teamwork for a cause common interest.

This was the second beach clean-up organized by the European Union in Uruguay as part of the global EU Beach Cleanup initiative, which this year took place in over 80 countries.

The European Union is a strong advocate for environmental protection, and leads the global fight against climate change. Through initiatives such as this, it is translating political commitment into bold actions inside and outside Europe.