Title: Beach Items Reuse Points
Type: Local plan
Timeline: 2024 – renewed every year
Budget (if applicable): N/A
Status: Ongoing
GCA area(s): Waste & Circular Economy
Thematic area(s): Green
- Sub-areas: Waste management
Operational topic(s):
- Strategy; Participation and communication.
Key stakeholders: City of Benidorm, Department of Beaches and environment, Beach concession company, Waste collection services, Accommodation sector
Country: Spain
Province (NUTS 3): Alicante
Region (NUTS 2): Comunidad Valenciana
Municipality: Benidorm
Signed the GCA in 2025
Green City Accord- Good practice
Needs
Benidorm needs to reduce the volume of waste generated each year by discarded or abandoned beach items. Often, these items are only used once, before being abandoned or thrown into waste containers. This issue has been raised with the City Council by beach concessionaires, waste collection services and the local accommodation sector.
Objectives
The project seeks to reduce waste and mitigate tourism’s environmental footprint by applying circular economy principles on Benidorm’s beaches. The Department of Beaches and Environment is leading the initiative to strengthen sustainability and environmental protection.
Description
The Beach items Reuse points are innovative collect points where tourists and users can deposit mats, hammocks, umbrellas, floats or buckets that they will no longer need, for them to be reused by other users for free. The first Reuse point is located next to the Levante Beach library. Signposted in Spanish, Valencian and English, it indicates which articles can be deposited. The recycling point itself is made from sustainable materials.
Items that have been deposited but are not of sufficient quality to be reused will be transferred by the concessionaire company for treatment and disposal at the corresponding points. This action relies on the philosophy of 'the three Rs': reduce, reuse, recycle.
Results (achieved or expected)
- Achieving strong visibility and high participation, this project has improved environmental awareness among beach users. Instead of being thrown away, beach items are reused efficiently, measurably reducing beach waste and abandoned equipment.
Success factors
- Strategic placement of recycling points in the busiest beach areas ensured strong visibility and uptake.
- Clear multilingual signage in Spanish, Valencian, and English supported correct use.
- Effective collaboration with the beach concession company, waste collection services, and the accommodation sector helped coordinate delivery.
- The project was underpinned by strong political leadership and a clear environmental vision.
- Use of recycled materials for the Recycling Point further strengthened credibility and sustainability.
Obstacles and difficulties met
- Operational challenges:
- Ensuring correct use of recycling points
- Maintaining quality control of deposited items
- Managing efficient logistics to remove and treat non-reusable materials
- During peak season:
- Scaling the initiative across all beaches
- Keeping collection points clean and orderly
Evidence of success
- The project has increased environmental awareness among beach users, encouraging the adoption of more sustainable behaviours. It is being reconducted for a second year.
Recommendations for cities interested in developing such a project
- Anchor the project in strong political leadership and a clear environmental vision
- Actively build cooperation with key local partners, especially hotels, beach operators, and waste management companies, to secure long-term buy-in and operational support.
- Once this governance and partnership framework is in place, the project is relatively easy to implement and can be launched with a limited budget.
- Maximise participation and visibility by choosing collection and activity points that are highly frequented and easily accessible by residents and tourists
