Slovenian coast cleanup mobilizes hundreds of volunteers

The seventeenth 'Čista obala' (Clean Coast) initiative is mobilizing over 260 volunteers to clean the Slovenian coastline from Ankaran to Piran. Organized by Andreja Palatinus as part of the global International Coastal Cleanup, the event spans from the Italian border at Lazareto to the Croatian border at the Sečovlje salt pans.

Participants are tasked with collecting and categorizing waste into more than 40 different types. While the long-term trend shows a decrease in total waste collected—dropping from several tons in early years to between 130 and 150 kilograms in recent actions—the initiative focuses heavily on data collection and public awareness. Cigarette butts remain the most frequent type of debris found, with over 11,000 collected last year. Other common materials include glass, plastic, and styrofoam.

The event also features cross-border cooperation, with volunteers from Trieste and Gorizia joining the effort. This year, participants will utilize a new mobile application to assist with the cleanup and data recording process.