In Sant Feliu de Guíxols, volunteer divers have removed hundreds of kilos of wet wipes from the seabed in a coastal clean-up organised by the Sublimits diving centre.
About 30 divers took part on Sunday morning at the beach area, where the campaign focused on a section that has seen repeated build-up. Organisers said that, despite existing filtering systems, a stream flows into the sea there and marine currents push waste towards the coast.
Lola Cervantes, director of the Sublimits centre, described the scene as, “Here there is a carpet of wet wipes.” The clean-up is part of a wider effort to raise awareness about the environmental impact of this difficult-to-recycle waste.
The campaign also aims to remind people that wet wipes do not break down like toilet paper and can add to marine litter. Organisers say the waste can harm marine life and damage ecosystems.
This year’s effort follows a similar clean-up last year, when the same campaign removed 300 kilos of wet wipes. The organisers expect to collect a similar amount this time, underlining the scale of the problem along the coast.
For more local reporting on environmental issues across Catalonia, see our news coverage.
