The Spanish Hub from HUBs4Innovation online session “Solutions to Face Plastic Pollution” (from which MedCities is part of), was held on 24 March 2025. Attendance surpassed the expected target, and participants actively contributed to the discussions, reflecting the significant interest generated by the session.

A total of 46 people connected with a highest proportion of attendees coming from the municipal sector (15%) and public administration (15%) followed by the port sector (10%) and tourism (10%). The remaining participants represented other sectors, including Research and Academia (13%), Consulting (5%), Society and Environmental Education (5%), NGOs (5%), Sanitation – the Urban Water Cycle (3%), Fisheries (3%), Unspecified (3%). Additionally, 13% of attendees joined without prior registration or sector (13%) specification (see Graph 1).

The main objective of the “Policy-Workshop” was to increase capacities to implement policies to face plastic pollution, share and align governance policy tools with mission objectives, and reduce plastic waste from land-based sources, specifically those coming from tourism, municipalities and the port sector.

The workshop focused on solutions that aim to reduce plastics reaching the water surface around ports, marinas and coastal tourist towns, as well as the retention of wet wipes, cigarette butts and other single-use plastics (SUPs) that collapse the sewage systems.

The session began with the presentation of the BlueMissionMed project, followed by the introduction of the first solution: H.A.P.I. method by Save the Med, designed to provide alternatives to single-use plastics in the HORECA sector (Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafés). After discussing this first solution, the second solution was presented, Collection systems for capturing plastics and solid elements from sewage overflows during rain events by Tecnoconverting Engineering.

To open the debates, an analysis of barriers, opportunities, facilitators and needs for both solutions was presented. The discussions were highly participative and dynamic, showing highly interest among participants in networking, collaboration, and the proposed solutions. The session concluded with a presentation on the next steps and upcoming opportunities within the BlueMissionMed project framework.

Following the session, a follow-up form was provided to attendees. It is expected that potential collaborations and matchmaking opportunities will emerge between solution providers and potential implementers or facilitators. The aim is to continue progressing towards the objectives of the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”.