This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50005043
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Plastic pollution: How Ibiza is tackling its problem with waste | Plastic pollution: How Ibiza is tackling its problem with waste |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Ibiza generated half a tonne of waste per person this year, which is 14% higher than the rest of Europe. | Ibiza generated half a tonne of waste per person this year, which is 14% higher than the rest of Europe. |
According to figures from the Ibiza Preservation Foundation, this is double the amount per person than Spain produces as a whole. | According to figures from the Ibiza Preservation Foundation, this is double the amount per person than Spain produces as a whole. |
Part of the problem is that Ibiza thrives on its tourism, and in 2018 more than four million people landed on its beaches - a quarter of these were from the UK. | Part of the problem is that Ibiza thrives on its tourism, and in 2018 more than four million people landed on its beaches - a quarter of these were from the UK. |
But, campaigners say, after all the cars, crowds and yachts disappear, a huge strain is left on resources, nature, and the beauty of Ibiza. | But, campaigners say, after all the cars, crowds and yachts disappear, a huge strain is left on resources, nature, and the beauty of Ibiza. |
Plastic ends up in the sea and on the beaches which is harmful to the marine environment and endangered species. | Plastic ends up in the sea and on the beaches which is harmful to the marine environment and endangered species. |
So, what can be done to solve the problem? | So, what can be done to solve the problem? |
DJ and producer Blond:ish is popular on the Ibiza clubbing scene, but she is also well known for being a sustainability campaigner in the music industry. | DJ and producer Blond:ish is popular on the Ibiza clubbing scene, but she is also well known for being a sustainability campaigner in the music industry. |
When she is not behind the desks, she uses her time to educate DJs, clubs and clubbers about single-use plastics, in the hope that one day she will DJ at zero-plastic shows. | When she is not behind the desks, she uses her time to educate DJs, clubs and clubbers about single-use plastics, in the hope that one day she will DJ at zero-plastic shows. |
She says the music industry is a big source of waste, which is a particular problem on a tiny island like Ibiza. | She says the music industry is a big source of waste, which is a particular problem on a tiny island like Ibiza. |
"In the summer, we can play every day and the footprint can be huge. DJing is actually a really small part of it, really we are just travellers." | "In the summer, we can play every day and the footprint can be huge. DJing is actually a really small part of it, really we are just travellers." |
Blond:ish says DJs can often travel from island to island, country to country, playing sets and urges the industry to "take small steps like offsetting our carbon". | Blond:ish says DJs can often travel from island to island, country to country, playing sets and urges the industry to "take small steps like offsetting our carbon". |
Offsetting carbon means travellers pay extra to help compensate for the carbon emissions produced from their flight. | Offsetting carbon means travellers pay extra to help compensate for the carbon emissions produced from their flight. |
The money is then invested in environmental projects - like planting trees or installing solar panels - which reduce the carbon dioxide in the air by the same amount. | The money is then invested in environmental projects - like planting trees or installing solar panels - which reduce the carbon dioxide in the air by the same amount. |
However, some activists criticise carbon offsetting as an excuse to continue polluting, arguing that it does little to change behaviour. | However, some activists criticise carbon offsetting as an excuse to continue polluting, arguing that it does little to change behaviour. |
"We are partying in paradise, and paradises have sensitive ecosystems which can't withstand the city lifestyle," says Blond:ish. | "We are partying in paradise, and paradises have sensitive ecosystems which can't withstand the city lifestyle," says Blond:ish. |
Through her campaign group, Bye Bye Plastic, Blond:ish also encourages artists to go plastic-free on their riders, which is the food and drink they request for backstage and in the DJ booths when they play. | |
She said: "Bye Bye plastic upgraded our riders to be single-use plastic-free." She says this is a "tiny step" but that if DJs, agents and clubbers all pitch in, it will eventually influence the clubs. | She said: "Bye Bye plastic upgraded our riders to be single-use plastic-free." She says this is a "tiny step" but that if DJs, agents and clubbers all pitch in, it will eventually influence the clubs. |
But some clubs in Ibiza are already proactively tackling pollution. | But some clubs in Ibiza are already proactively tackling pollution. |
Iconic night club Pacha is the first club to sign up to the Ibiza Preservation's plastic-free star rating system, gaining the first star. | Iconic night club Pacha is the first club to sign up to the Ibiza Preservation's plastic-free star rating system, gaining the first star. |
The scheme hopes to phase out single-use plastics in Ibiza by 2023, and rewards nightclubs that commit to banning plastics with a star. | The scheme hopes to phase out single-use plastics in Ibiza by 2023, and rewards nightclubs that commit to banning plastics with a star. |
Its chief executive, Nick McCabe, says the the venue gets through more than 400,000 plastic straws, and a similar number of plastic bottles on an annual basis. | |
Founded in 1973, Nick, says: "Pacha is as much Ibiza as the sand and sea." He says he hopes it continues to evolve with the island. | Founded in 1973, Nick, says: "Pacha is as much Ibiza as the sand and sea." He says he hopes it continues to evolve with the island. |
It has already managed to eliminate straws, plastic cutlery, laundry bags and plastic food containers, but Nick says finding a solution to plastic bottles is challenging from a "safety perspective". | It has already managed to eliminate straws, plastic cutlery, laundry bags and plastic food containers, but Nick says finding a solution to plastic bottles is challenging from a "safety perspective". |
He said the star rating system is an "interesting way to feel like there is some kind of reward for companies who get board for what we should be doing anyway". | He said the star rating system is an "interesting way to feel like there is some kind of reward for companies who get board for what we should be doing anyway". |
Tourists are getting involved, too. | Tourists are getting involved, too. |
Ed Pronc is Dutch but has been holidaymaking in Ibiza with his partner for years. | Ed Pronc is Dutch but has been holidaymaking in Ibiza with his partner for years. |
He was shocked into creating a "plastic-picker catamaran" after he and his partner went for a ride on their boat, and ended up finding a sea turtle trapped in plastic. | He was shocked into creating a "plastic-picker catamaran" after he and his partner went for a ride on their boat, and ended up finding a sea turtle trapped in plastic. |
"We let it free," he said, "but after that, we noticed there was a lot of plastic floating around." | "We let it free," he said, "but after that, we noticed there was a lot of plastic floating around." |
Now, Ed and his partner go out with a team of volunteers every single day to collect rubbish. | Now, Ed and his partner go out with a team of volunteers every single day to collect rubbish. |
After only an hour of picking, Ed says he can typically find every type of plastic imaginable, from plastic bottles, to food sacks, wiring, ropes, razors and tooth brushes. | After only an hour of picking, Ed says he can typically find every type of plastic imaginable, from plastic bottles, to food sacks, wiring, ropes, razors and tooth brushes. |
He said they also find "refrigerator doors occasionally" too. | He said they also find "refrigerator doors occasionally" too. |
"I know if we hit the right spots we can collect 10, 20, 30 bags of plastics every day," says Ed. | "I know if we hit the right spots we can collect 10, 20, 30 bags of plastics every day," says Ed. |
He notes that 130,000 people live on the island here all year round, and they are saddened by the way it is "abused". | He notes that 130,000 people live on the island here all year round, and they are saddened by the way it is "abused". |
Ed says anyone with an "active conscience" shouldn't be able to throw or even drink from a plastic bottle anymore. | Ed says anyone with an "active conscience" shouldn't be able to throw or even drink from a plastic bottle anymore. |
Follow the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme on Facebook and Twitter - and see more of our stories here. | Follow the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme on Facebook and Twitter - and see more of our stories here. |
Previous version
1
Next version