For all stakeholders of the protected areas of Dugi Otok, we organized, in cooperation with the public institutions Natura Jadera and Telašćica Nature Park, a workshop titled Steps towards an environmentally sustainable Dugi Otok – replace plastic with sustainable solutions.
“Sunce is committed to reducing the use of single-use plastics in the protected areas of Dugi Otok through the Plastic-Free Croatian Island project, and to decreasing waste production under the Interreg WASTEREDUCE project,” said Dalka Zanki, project manager at Sunce.
Together for the protection of Dugi Otok’s nature and environment
The workshop, held in Zadar on March 10th this year, was attended by representatives of businesses operating within the protected areas of Dugi Otok, Telašćica and Sakarun, representatives from Telašćica Nature Park, the Natura Jadera public institution, and the Municipality of Sali. The workshop attracted further interest, with additional attendees from the University of Zadar, the City of Zadar, Zadar County, and public institutions such as Paklenica National Park and Vransko Lake Nature Park.
“Such stakeholder education sessions are essential and should be held regularly,” said Damir Maričić, a representative of Ilirija d.o.o., a company that brings guests from Biograd na Moru to Telašćica Nature Park.
Representatives from Telašćica and Natura Jadera public institutions agreed that the collaboration of all stakeholders is crucial in addressing the issue of marine waste.
“Every year, in cooperation with diving clubs, local residents, and institutions, we organize coastal and seabed cleanup actions,” emphasized Vesna Petešić, head of the project preparation and implementation department at Telašćica Nature Park.
“Natura Jadera is working on developing cooperation with local residents, businesses, the municipality, and the tourist board. This workshop is yet another successful example of joint action,” stated Morana Bačić, expert manager at Natura Jadera.
Decision to restrict the use of single-use plastics adopted
The Telašćica Nature Park public institution, in cooperation with Sunce, adopted a decision to limit the use of single-use plastics by businesses operating in the protected areas of Dugi Otok.
The decision was presented during the workshop and will be included in concession approvals with the aim of reducing waste from tourism-related economic activities. The decision prescribes mandatory measures for businesses, including replacing single-use plastic items with reusable alternatives, setting up containers for separate waste collection, and clearly communicating these measures to all stakeholders.
“The decision contains mandatory and recommended measures, such as the gradual replacement of plastic bags with cloth or paper alternatives, and the procurement of beverages in returnable packaging,” explained Petešić.
Petešić also noted that the decision includes penalties for violators, such as the potential termination of concession agreements and revocation of maritime domain permits.
Damir Perić, director of Natura Jadera, stated that the decision will be applied when issuing new concession approvals for service providers in the protected landscape area “Northwestern part of Dugi Otok.”
Sunce has been involved for years in Dugi Otok’s sustainable transformation. The Plastic-Free Croatian Island project is a continuation of the earlier For Plastic-Free Croatian Islands project. “We are pleased to continue our successful collaboration with the key stakeholders managing Dugi Otok’s protected areas,” said Tea Kuzmičić-Rosandić from Sunce.
Reusable solutions to preserve Dugi Otok
“The first step towards a cleaner environment is certainly waste reduction, so the use of alternatives to single-use plastics is essential,” emphasized Zanki, who presented reusable solutions to workshop participants that could be incorporated into businesses operating within Dugi Otok’s protected areas.
Reusable cups, bottles, food containers, cutlery, and cloth bags are just some examples of alternatives to commonly used disposable items in tourism activities.
“We have been separating plastic from mixed waste for several years and have been thinking about how to reduce the number of single-use plastic cups in the waste stream since they make up the majority,” noted Ivana Škrokov, a representative of Nevika Cruise from Pašman.
All businesses agreed that regulating waste generation is necessary in order to reduce pollution in the Adriatic Sea. A survey on the use of single-use plastics in business operations was conducted last summer among them.
“The data we obtained from the survey analysis served as the basis for the proposal of the decision by the Sunce association, which was then adopted by the management board of Telašćica Nature Park,” explained Zanki.
Maričić emphasized that replacing single-use plastics with other materials is a commitment he personally adopted at Ilirija, despite the challenges posed by organizing excursions and onboard conditions.
Are visitors aware of the importance of environmental protection?
The beauty of the Adriatic attracts more and more visitors each year, but are they aware of the pressure that over-tourism puts on nature and the environment? This is precisely the focus of the Interreg WASTEREDUCE project research that Sunce is conducting with other Croatian and Italian partners.
Last summer, Sunce studied the habits of visitors to Sakarun, one of the most beautiful Adriatic beaches – A total of one hundred Sakarun visitors completed a survey about their waste disposal habits, with the goal of mapping visitor habits, behaviors, and opinions on beach infrastructure and waste management on Dugi Otok,” said Zanki.
It is important to educate visitors about preserving the natural beauty that attracts them to these destinations in the first place—and businesses play a crucial role in this.
“We have placed stickers in several locations on the boat warning that throwing waste into the sea is prohibited,” said Škrokov.
“According to research conducted by Natura Jadera in collaboration with the University of Zadar since 2018, Sakarun Bay is extremely polluted with waste, which is why Natura Jadera carries out visitor awareness campaigns,” emphasized Bačić.
Waste management challenges
Every positive change in society starts with the individual. That is why Sunce focuses on raising environmental awareness and, through advocacy efforts, seeks to reduce waste generation, with a particular emphasis on single-use plastics.
According to a survey Sunce conducted last summer among Dugi Otok concessionaires, most of them (79%) do separate waste—specifically plastic, glass, and metal returnable packaging. However, 21% of respondents stated they do not separate waste because there is no separate waste disposal on the island, and they see no point in separating it when it all ends up at the same landfill anyway.
Škrokov confirmed this: “Last summer on Pašman, separately disposed plastic wasn’t collected for over a month, and later we heard that all the waste, including the plastic, ended up at the same landfill.”
Be part of the change
Be part of the change—join or volunteer in Sunce! Participate in clean-up actions like those carried out by Sunce on Dugi Otok, and be an active, conscientious member of the community.
You can also join the volunteer club SoleSTerra, connect with like-minded individuals, gain new knowledge and experiences, and at the same time contribute to environmental protection.
