Project duration: 01/2025 – 01/2027

Status: ON-GOING

The challenge

With Croatia’s growing tourism market, there has been a significant increase in waste volume during the peak season. Plastic bottles constitute an alarming 20-30% of packaging waste. Consumer habits show that bottled water tops tourists’ purchasing priorities, as they fill accommodations with plastic bottles and leave substantial plastic waste upon departure. Despite Croatia having excellent quality tap water, this knowledge is not adequately communicated to visitors.

The solution

The project aims to reduce single-use plastic bottles by installing public water fountains across Hvar and promoting Croatia’s high-quality tap water. Through partnerships with Association Sunce, Jelsa Municipality, and Jelsa Tourist Board, the initiative will establish free water refill stations at key tourist locations while conducting educational campaigns about tap water quality and plastic reduction.

Project’s deliverables

• Installation of 9 water fountains across Jelsa Municipality (4 in Jelsa, 3 in Vrboska, 1 in Ivan Dolac, and 1 in Zavala)
• Information campaign targeting accommodation providers and tourists about Croatian tap water quality
• Online promotion of water fountain locations and project goals on ferries and fast ferry lines
• Organization of 2 clean-up actions in partnership with Association Sunce
• Coordination of 2 stakeholder meetings with representatives from Jelsa Municipality, Jelkom communal company, and Jelsa Tourist Board

Project updates

Insight into the organizations

Association Moj Škoj, founded in 2021, works with local municipalities and educational institutions on Hvar Island to promote sustainable living. Their projects include “Bio Balls,” which united municipalities to address sea pollution; “True Blue,” which repurposes plastic waste for souvenirs and urban equipment; “Circular bio waste management for kindergartens,” which introduced electrical composters; and “Revival of historical paths,” which encourages bio waste separation while restoring hiking trails. The organization conducts educational workshops on ecological agriculture and organic farming to transform their community through environmental awareness and circular waste management solutions.

The Association for Nature, Environment, and Sustainable Development – Sunce, a leading civil-society organization in Croatia, advocates for environmentally responsible solutions. With 25 years of experience, they focus on nature protection, waste management, and environmental law. Their goals for 2021-2026 include sustainable waste management and marine litter monitoring. Since 2014, they’ve been active in marine litter projects and have organized 27 clean-up actions, collecting 5,822.41 kg of waste. They emphasize reducing single-use plastic and have implemented initiatives like Plastic Smart Cities. Their efforts have garnered interest from other Croatian municipalities and islands, contributing to establishing plastic-free zones in natural parks and protected areas. 

Refill Hvar – Pour It Up For Less Plastic is supported by DIEF – Dalmatian Islands Environment Foundation, thanks to funding received from Conservation Collective through their Depeche Mode & Hublot partnership during the Memento Mori world tour.