Initial recognition of pollution linked to the plastic value chain in Tarragona was achieved in 2024. But pollution continues. So do our actions!
In 2018, the community of La Pineda, a seaside resort in the province of Tarragona, was the victim of a massive spill of plastic pellets, a raw material used in the manufacture of plastic. These plastic pellets came from a nearby petrochemical plant. Those responsible must be held accountable!
Our actions
July 2024 – Legal victory: Polluting impact of the plastic value chain in Tarragona recognised
October 2023 – Environmental organisations take legal action against plastic pellet contamination in Tarragona
May 2022 – New record for Tarragona: 1.8 million pellets found in 2 hours
September 2021 – Expedition to investigate industrial plastic pellet pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
The case
The defenders
The defenders are represented by our local Spanish team, and the local NGO Good Karma Project. Good Karma is a local NGO that was founded in 2017 by two surfers and engineers with the mission of positively inspiring society to adopt a healthier and more respectful lifestyle with the planet and its inhabitants. Good Karma Projects has been working since 2018, collecting microplastic samples on beaches and through the Mediterranean with a manta trawl.State of the environment
On several occasions and especially in 2018, the beach of La Pineda was absolutely covered in a blanket of plastic pellets. As they are microplastics, it is impossible to clean the beach from them, therefore any pellet will pose a risk to our food chain, marine life and therefore human health. Similar pellets were found throughout the whole marine area which requires further research if they have the same source.Our demands
Pellet spills have been occurring since petrochemical companies were installed in the 1960’s. Our demand is that industry in Tarragona has applied real measures to solve these spills.