Refill Hvar – Pour It Up For Less Plastic

As part of the environmental project ‘Refill Hvar – pour it up for less plastic’, an intensive beach clean-up was held in Zavala on the Island of Hvar. The project is supported by the Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation. The clean-up brought together members of the local community, the association Moj škoj, volunteers from Sunce’s volunteer club SoleSTerra, and students participating in internships and service-learning programs. A total of 97.9 kilograms of waste was removed, with plastic making up the majority—82.21 kilograms. This action once again highlighted the importance of combining clean-up efforts with education and changes in everyday behaviour.

One of the project’s main goals is to reduce the use of single-use plastics, especially plastic bottles, which account for 20–30% of packaging waste during the tourist season. To encourage the use of reusable bottles and reduce the need to purchase bottled water, nine public water refill stations with drinking water from local sources will be installed across the island as part of the project. These refill stations will be located at key points, and visitors will be informed about their locations through an awareness campaign, including video promotions on the ferry and catamaran lines from Split to Jelsa.

The goal is to encourage both tourists and locals to refill their reusable bottles, protect the environment, and take a collective step toward a plastic-free island. “We believe that thanks to this project, Hvar’s visitors will grow even more appreciative of our natural resources—especially our abundance of clean drinking water,” say representatives of Moj škoj and Sunce.