It’s no surprise that Dugi Otok is steadily moving toward sustainability, this summer, concessionaires operating in the island’s protected areas were provided with reusable cups.
– With the aim of reducing the use of single-use plastics in tourism activities, as part of the WASTEREDUCE and Plastic-Free Croatian Island projects, we produced reusable cups made of hard plastic , – explained the project manager Dalka Zanki.
What do the Saljske užance, bikers, artists and athletes have in common?
We know that public events generate large amounts of waste, especially single-use plastics. That’s why cooperation among all participants is essential to protect the environment as much as possible! This summer, Dugi Otok proved that public events can indeed be much more sustainable.
The biggest event on Dugi Otok, Saljske užance, featured reusable cups this summer. The Sali Tourist Board reported that visitors were delighted with this eco-friendly initiative.
Although the reactions have been mostly positive, it is important to mention the challenges of implementing this eco-friendly solution.
– The concessionaires told us that a special stand for collecting and washing the cups would be needed, as well as a dishwasher. Logistically, it’s difficult to organize the use of reusable cups at such a large event, the bars simply aren’t equipped enough, – said Ivana Čarić from the Sali Tourist Board.
– On the other hand, smaller events, such as the painting colony we organized, are ideal for using reusable cups, – added Čarić.
This year, the use of single-use plastics has also decreased at the Dugi otok Moto tour. Reusable cups could be seen on the tables of bikers taking a break from their ride.
Reusable cups have found their place at the biggest sporting event on Dugi Otok, the Thriatlon Long Island. The cups were available at all refreshment stations.
– We had a total of 258 participants, and the reusable cups we received made organizing the event much easier. Both the competitors and we, as organizers, were impressed by the idea of reusable cups, – said Ana Petrić, the race director.
Sakarun is slowly embracing sustainable solutions
One of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic, Sakarun, is part of the Natura 2000 ecological network and it is as WASTEREDUCE pilot area. Last summer, we conducted a survey among concessionaires and visitors on the use of single-use plastics and waste disposal habits.
– Over 90% of respondents stated that they are willing to reduce the use of single-use plastics and adopt alternative solutions such as paper or reusable cups, plates, and takeaway food containers, – recalled Zanki.
Thus, businesses in Sakarun also received reusable cups to help ensure that as little waste as possible ends up on the beach and in the sea!
– The hospitality providers at Sakarun were very receptive to the reusable cups when we distributed them, but unfortunately, they have nowhere to wash them there, – said Josip Brajković, a ranger from the Public Institution Natura Jadera.
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Sakarun’s hospitality providers face a lack of necessary infrastructure on the beach itself.
– We used the reusable cups we were given, but we have nowhere here to wash them. There is no hot water at Sakarun. We also noticed that guests were throwing even these reusable cups into the trash,- said Darko Bukarica from Amarcord.
– We already have a practice of using reusable cups on the boat, so we did not really use these new ones, – said Mate Stručić from the boat Trn.
Boat companies in Telašćica are sailing a sustainable course
Boat operators who take their guests on trips to Telašćica Nature Park started using new reusable cups on their boats this summer. This has significantly reduced the waste that would normally result from this tourist activity.
– Our guests liked the cups so much that they take them as souvenirs, – said concessionaire Kamil Mračić.
Concessionaires began running out of reusable cups because guests were taking them.
– To reduce the issue of cups disappearing, we designed and created stickers for the boat operators to indicate that reusable cups are not souvenirs, – said Zanki.
Boat operators who do not have dishwashers on their boats face the challenge of washing the cups, but they say they will make an effort to find a solution to help protect our Adriatic.
– We are pleased that many concessionaires have recognized the importance of transitioning to sustainable business models, – said Krešimir Rašan, director of Telašćica Nature Park.
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The story continues: what we have learned and what lies ahead
The results from Dugi Otok show that change begins with small but meaningful steps. This was also discussed at the project partners’ meeting held in Split on October 8 and 9.
– The analysis of implementing reusable solutions, which will take place in the coming weeks, will show us what works best in practice, – announced Zanki.
Stakeholders from Dugi Otok can look forward to a roundtable on this topic in Zadar in November. For more information, keep following us. If you want to be among the first to learn about all our environmental protection activities, subscribe to our newsletter.
