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Nature is polluted

Every day, the SEO/BirdLife volunteers who monitor birds and engage in conservation tasks note the large amount of waste that piles up in natural spaces. It is simply rubbish that is not collected and that has an impact on the environment that is unknown and hasn't been sufficiently analysed.

'LIBERA, united against littering' is a project created by the NGO, SEO/BirdLife, in partnership with Ecoembes, the non-profit environmental organisation that promotes the circular economy through the recycling of packaging in order to free nature from litter.

The aim of this initiative is to raise awareness and mobilise citizens to keep natural spaces free from waste. To accomplish this, LIBERA proposes a three-pronged approach to the problem: knowledge, prevention and participation.

How it starts

The accumulation of rubbish in natural spaces is alarming. The phenomenon is so widespread in rural and coastal environments around the world, that we even had to give it a name in Spanish: Basuraleza (portmanteau of "basura" (rubbish) and "naturaleza" (nature)). This issue has an obvious negative impact on preserving nature, and studies are needed to quantify and analyse the extent of its effects on the environment and health.

It also has a clear origin: we ourselves. The massive dumping of waste in natural spaces makes clear the need to elevate public consciousness. We must go from “don't pick it up, it's rubbish” to “don't throw it away, it's rubbish”, thus taking a first step towards an urgent and necessary change of mindset. 

To change this reality, 'LIBERA, united against littering' was born, a project created by the Spanish environmental NGO, SEO/BirdLife, in partnership with Ecoembes, the non-profit environmental organisation that promotes the circular economy through the recycling of packaging. This union of efforts and knowledge aims to put an end to the rubbish that winds up in our natural spaces.

Pillars of the project

Knowledge

Knowing the problem is the basis for dealing with the problem, and science is the key to tackling it

In order to address the problem of littering, we need to know more about its amount, composition, origin, behaviour, where it accumulates, etc. This will allow us to identify effective solutions to prevent it. This is why at LIBERA, we have a department that is entirely devoted to studying this problem. It partners with NGOs and universities to develop innovative methodologies and tools to increase our knowledge of the various terrestrial, marine and river ecosystems. In short, we believe in science as a partner to find the best solutions.

Prevention

Changing habits, raising awareness and teaching people to respect natural spaces

Knowledge is useless if the public do not understand the value of keeping natural spaces clean. Which is why we aim to change habits, inform and educate people to care for and respect nature. Through educational and training materials, we convey to the public the need to work together to stop littering. We also develop sensitisation and awareness campaigns to show the effects of littering on the environment and the role that each of us must play in order to avoid them.

Participation

Knowing the problem is the basis for dealing with the problem, and science is the key to tackling it

In order to address the problem of littering, we need to know more about its amount, composition, origin, behaviour, where it accumulates, etc. This will allow us to identify effective solutions to prevent it. This is why at LIBERA, we have a department that is entirely devoted to studying this problem. It partners with NGOs and universities to develop innovative methodologies and tools to increase our knowledge of the various terrestrial, marine and river ecosystems. In short, we believe in science as a partner to find the best solutions.