Yesterday, we joined a powerful and eye-opening beach clean-up event organized by our partner Innoceana at Playa Grande in El Porís, one of the most polluted beaches on the island of Tenerife. After removing a significant amount of waste from Playa Grande, we extended the effort by moving to a smaller next beach over.
Because of the Gulf Stream, which brings in oceanic debris from thousands of kilometers away, this beach accumulates significant amounts of plastic and marine litter on a regular basis. What might seem like a quiet local beach is actually a landing point for pollution.
Together, our team of 9 volunteers collected nearly 60 kilograms of trash in just a few hours. From tangled fishing lines and ropes to microplastics, food wrappers, and larger plastic fragments – this cleanup made a visible difference.
Who is Innoceana?
Innoceana is a nonprofit organization committed to ocean conservation through science, education, and innovation. Their mission is to protect marine ecosystems by combining:
scientific research and data collection,
education and community outreach,
and the development of innovative technologies for marine restoration.
Our collaboration is rooted in a shared commitment to sustainability, education, and positive environmental impact. Whether it’s participating in field activities like this beach clean-up or supporting their broader efforts, we’re always eager to contribute where we can.
Together, we believe in the power of community, innovation, and collective action to create meaningful and lasting change — both locally and globally.
We’re proud to be an active partner of Innoceana and fully support their mission to protect and restore our oceans.
Collective Action Matters
This clean-up may have only taken a few hours, but the impact goes far beyond what we carried off the beach. It’s a clear reminder that even small, focused efforts can contribute to a much larger movement for environmental change.
We’re proud to stand alongside organizations like Innoceana, and we’re committed to being part of the solution — showing up, lending a hand, and supporting initiatives that protect the natural world.
Because every step we take, no matter how small, brings us closer to a cleaner, healthier future for our oceans and our planet.
Canary Green’s tips to enjoying sustainable tourism in Canary Islands
Visiting Canary Islands on holiday doesn’t give you free rein to leave your values and principles at home. We encourage travellers to seek out sustainable options and keep up with environmental practices while travelling. Our top tips for a relaxed and wholesome stay include:
- Consider green transport options. Are you able to take a ferry to the island instead of flying? While you are here is a car necessary? Investigate public transport links or choose green options such as electric cars, green-hydrogen cars or e-bikes.
- Choose destinations that value sustainability and choose green alternatives such as solar power, recycling and energy-efficient architecture. This extends to places that value workers’ rights and the impact on the local community.
- Bring your own water bottle with you and refill it instead of buying single-use plastic bottles.
- Make use of the recycling when out and about and don’t just throw your rubbish in the nearest bin.
- Take advantage of local knowledge and immerse yourself in the culture through campaigns such as #Ilovecanarias and #meatfreemondaycanarias.
- Most of all, have fun and enjoy your time in the Canary Islands.
Thank you
Thank you to everyone involved in this Canary Green project where our aim is to help promote sustainable tourism in the Canary Islands.
Do you want us to find you more sustainable choices? Please support us and donate today!
- John Beckley; Founder of Canary Green non profit
- Canary Green non profit:
- Photographers & Videomakers:
Karolína Lišková, Barbora Kučerová, Nataliia Tataurova, Luca Buiatti
- Environmental chemist & Sustainable Tourism Consultant: Luca Buiatti
- Social Media Coordinator: Nataliia Tataurova
- Account Manager: Barbora Kučerová
- Project Manager: Karolína Lišková
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