The coastlines and seas are the focus of a long-running citizen science effort that tracks how litter affects marine environments. For the sixth year in a row, the Libera project, through SEO/BirdLife in partnership with Ecoembes, has organized the campaign 1m2 with beaches and seas. The latest edition runs from September 17 to 25, aligning with International Beach Cleaning Day on September 18.
Organizations, associations, and groups interested in taking part can register and establish their own collection points via the Libera project website by September 11. This edition aims to raise public awareness about conserving and protecting marine ecosystems while expanding knowledge about the characteristics of litter, its impacts, and the species that inhabit these habitats. The work involves careful data collection that records details such as the weight, quantity, and types of waste, information essential for forming practical guidelines and solutions to address the pollution problem.
As in past years, participants—including divers from the Marine Watch Network, Oceanidas, and the Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities (FEDAS)—will use the Marnoba application. This platform, created by Association Zero Waste and KAI Marine Services, collects and stores all necessary data to map abandoned debris across Spain’s coasts and seas.
670,000 objects characterized since 2017
Upon completion, the collected data contribute to a growing repository. More than 670,000 items have been characterized since 2017 and compiled by Libera for tracking plastic and other debris. The data are later integrated into the national ecological and demographic indicators database. In the previous edition, the campaign engaged thousands of volunteers nationwide, resulting in thousands of kilograms of waste cataloged and analyzed across beaches and marine environments.
Among the most commonly found items are cigarette butts, beverage cans, straws, cutlery, and plastic cups. There are also substantial findings of glass fragments and plastic bottles that highlight the ongoing presence of debris along the coastline and in marine habitats.
Understanding the environmental impact is essential for assessing the severity of the problem. The overall health of seas and oceans remains an important unknown, and this citizen science effort contributes valuable, on-the-ground insights into the current status of these ecosystems. The campaign coordinator emphasizes that knowledge of the health of marine environments helps measure how serious litter is and informs actions to protect them.
The campaign highlights that litter harms water quality and the species living in it. Experience from multiple editions shows that waste such as bags and packaging can linger on shores for years, underscoring the need for sustained awareness and action. The coordinators stress the importance of continued community involvement to keep beaches and seas clean and protected.
104 tons collected in June
The most recent actions saw a significant mobilization in June, with more than 12,000 volunteers removing 104 tonnes of waste from 711 natural sites across the country. Among the most frequent debris were cigarette butts, small plastic parts, bags and packaging, and cardboard and paper products. In total, around 69,134 items were cataloged across terrestrial, riverine, and marine environments, contributing to the broader effort of waste characterization and environmental stewardship.
The campaign also received notable support from volunteers and partners who joined the effort nationwide. The leadership recognized the role of high-profile supporters who helped raise awareness and mobilize local communities to participate in cleanup activities and waste characterization efforts.
The initiative has grown into a broad network of alliances and supporters, including cross-sector organizations and local groups. It features collaborations with nonprofit organizations, educational bodies, and corporate partners that help fund and facilitate cleanup points in numerous municipalities and protected areas. The collective effort extends to national parks, natural reserves, and relevant environmental agencies, each contributing to the shared goal of safeguarding coastlines and marine habitats.
As part of the ongoing effort, the Libera network continues to expand its reach with new collection points and partnerships across the country. The campaign maintains a focus on practical data collection, environmental education, and public participation to keep marine ecosystems healthy for current and future generations.
Additional information and historical context for the initiative can be found in the Libera program materials, which document the long-standing commitment to monitoring and reducing litter in Spain’s coastlines and seas.