More than a ton of waste was collected in marine and coastal areas of the Galapagos

During three days of work, and with the participation of more than 100 volunteers, the Coastal Cleanup Program removed 1,284.18 kilograms of waste from the sea. These were debris that affected the marine and coastal areas near the El Pelado Marine Reserve and Santa Cruz Island, in the Galapagos.

In Ecuador, the Coastal Cleanup Program works to care for 11 marine areas, in coordination with parks and nature reserves.

In Ecuador, the Coastal Cleanup Program works to care for 11 marine areas, in coordination with parks and nature reserves. This was explained by Sebastián Alvarado, administrator of the El Pelado Marine Reserve, who added that thanks to the contribution of the program in marine and coastal protected areas, it is possible to intervene in fragile ecosystems.

The program is part of an alliance between the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition (MAATE), the Directorate of the Galapagos National Park, International Conservation Ecuador and the Coca-Cola Foundation of Ecuador. Since 2004, led by private companies, it seeks to conserve natural wealth and promote healthier and more sustainable societies.

“Through the Coastal Cleanup Program, we not only work on the collection of waste from marine and coastal areas for the conservation of biodiversity, but we also raise awareness in the communities about the importance of proper waste management,” said Paola. Palacios, Manager of Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability of Coca-Cola Ecuador and Peru.

In its 19 years of management, the Coastal Cleanup Program has collected more than 255 tons of solid waste thanks to the support of more than 13,000 volunteers. This year, a new protected area is also added to the program, the Isla Corazón y Fragatas Wildlife Refuge, in the province of Manabí.