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Benidorm's brilliant beach swap scheme wins European recognition
A simple idea to stop holiday items going to waste has caught the attention of the European Commission
What happens to your beach umbrella at the end of a holiday? Or that inflatable mattress that definitely won't fit back in your suitcase? For most people, it ends up in a bin or abandoned in a hotel corridor. Benidorm, however, has come up with a better idea, and Europe has taken notice.The resort's Beach Item Reuse Points project, first launched in June 2024, has been highlighted as an example of best practice in municipal waste management in the European Commission's 2020-2025 Green City Accord report. It is a significant accolade for what is, at its heart, a beautifully straightforward scheme.
How it works
The concept couldn't be simpler. Visitors who no longer need their beach gear can drop items off at designated collection points, where other holidaymakers can pick them up free of charge. Umbrellas, hammocks, inflatables, buckets, spades, mats and boards are all welcome, giving everyday holiday items a second life rather than a one-way trip to landfill.
The scheme returns this summer, and given how many people pass through Benidorm's beaches each year, the potential impact is considerable.
Benidorm mayor Toni Pérez explained the thinking behind it: "The beach concessionaire, the waste collection company and the accommodation sector all tell us that every year an enormous number of hammocks, mats, umbrellas and chairs end up in containers or abandoned in hotels because their owners can't take them home on the plane or train. It occurred to us that giving them a second life was a perfect way to contribute to the environment."
Environment Councillor Mónica Gómez added that the collection points themselves are made from recycled materials originally used on the beaches during the pandemic, including pegs, ropes and netting. "This action revolves around the philosophy of the three Rs: recycle, reduce and reuse," she said.
Any items that are dropped off but are not in good enough condition to be reused are collected by the concessionaire company and taken to the appropriate disposal points, ensuring nothing simply goes to waste by another route.
Recognised across Europe
Benidorm's inclusion in the Green City Accord report is a reminder that good environmental practice does not always require grand gestures. Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that are easy to understand, easy to use, and genuinely make a difference.
For anyone heading to Benidorm this summer, it is worth knowing the swap points are there. One person's unwanted lilo could be exactly what someone else needs.
Image: Benidorm.org
