Motivated by the European Single Use Plastic Directive, a group of local activists from the island of Zlarin in Croatia got an idea of Zlarin becoming an island without single-use plastic. They won the contest for the best innovative solutions that will help to stop further pollution caused by plastic waste into the Adriatic Sea. Few months after that, the vision started becoming reality when all shops, restaurants, NGOs and local authorities signed the declaration to replace all disposable plastic with more environmentally friendly solutions to contribute to stopping plastic pollution.
Zero Waste Croatia Network that gathers and supports best practices in Croatia congratulates to the island of Zlarin and all engaged in this big and important success.
„As a member of international Break Free From Plastic movement we congratulate to the island of Zlarin! We have put many efforts to get strong and motivating EU legislation to stop plastic pollution, and soon after that we already have concrete results here in Croatia. Zlarin is the first, and hopefully many other islands and municipalities will follow!“, says Marko Košak, coordinator of the Zero Waste Croatia Network, member of global Break Free From Plastic movement.
"Our goal isn't to simply replace all single use plastic items with another single use items made of more environmental friendly materials. Our goal is to again start using reusable items - going to shopping with canvas bags, using glass instead of plastic bottles, using tapped water instead of bottled on events etc. Plastic cups and cutlery will be replaced by more sustainable solutions and straws will be completely phased out", says Ana Elizabeta Robb from Zlarin, one of the initiators of this successful project.
After this crucial step, Zlarin won't stop.
„We already had meeting with local activists and planned next actions to improve quality of life on the island. Croatian Ministry of environment doesn't do much to stop plastic pollution, so we are putting pressure from bottom up. With our zero waste municipalities and plastic-free islands like Zlarin we are on the right track to transform our society and environment to be a better place for living“, concludes Marko Košak.
