A coordinated coastal clean-up at Boa Vista’s Reserva Natural de Boa Esperança has underscored rising community engagement in the fight against plastic pollution in Cabo Verde.
On 17 January 2026, the national Zero Resíduos Plásticos campaign removed 817.25 kilograms of waste from a 460-metre stretch of shoreline within the reserve. The exercise brought together about 30 volunteers, among them local residents, tourists, and representatives of environmental organisations working collectively to curb marine debris and reinforce a shared commitment to environmental protection.
The clean-up was carried out under the IslandPlas project, coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in partnership with the Direcção Nacional do Ambiente (DNA). Beyond removing visible debris, the initiative aims to strengthen community action against plastic pollution while supporting Cabo Verde’s transition to a circular economy.
Volunteers worked swiftly to collect and sort plastics and other waste in an area heavily used by beachgoers and vital for marine and bird species. Recyclable, high-value plastics, including type 2 materials, were channelled to the Desplastificar Boavista association, while non-recyclables were sent to the municipal landfill. The process doubled as a hands-on lesson in responsible waste management.
Organisers say the clean-up is as much about behaviour change as it is about removal. By linking beach clean-ups with recycling pathways and environmental education, the campaign seeks to reduce plastic leakage into the ocean over the long term.
Plans are already in motion to repeat the exercise on a regular basis, reinforcing national efforts to curb plastic pollution, safeguard biodiversity and promote sustainable coastal tourism across the archipelago.
