Single-use plastics in Galapagos: A persistent problem

Single-use plastic items such as bottles, straws and bags have become emblematic of the ‘disposable culture’ which is poisoning our planet. These products embody the linear economy, in which people buy something, use it and then throw it away. Even in a seemingly pristine wilderness like Galapagos, single-use plastic is a pervasive menace.

Research carried out by the Pacific Plastics: Science to Solutions network, which is co-led by GCT and the University of Exeter, has shown that 69% of plastic waste found on the coastlines of Galapagos consists of single-use items. The overwhelming majority of this coastal plastic – more than 95% – likely originates outside the Galapagos Marine Reserve. But locally-generated plastic waste is a growing problem too, fuelled in part by the growth of land-based tourism. A recent study supported by GCT showed that giant tortoises on Santa Cruz island are ingesting waste including medical face masks and plastic bags in areas populated by humans.

Legislation to restrict single-use plastics in Galapagos

It is now almost a decade since the Ecuadorian government first passed a resolution to prohibit the use of plastic bags and cups in the Galapagos Islands. This legislation specifically targetted ‘T-shirt bags’ (the plastic bags with handles commonly found in supermarkets) and polystyrene cups. At the time that this law was passed, an estimated 4.5 million T-shirt bags a year were being used on the Islands.

In 2018, the Galapagos Governing Council passed a new resolution to restrict single-use plastics in Galapagos, which included the phasing out of plastic straws, bags, polythene containers (such as those used for takeaway food) and bottles. This was followed in 2019 by legislation requiring schools in Galapagos to stop using single-use plastic, such as the disposable tubs commonly used to bring in packed lunches.

However, progress stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in some cases went backwards. A lack of drinking water facilities means that bottled water is still widespread, and refill facilities are limited and poorly advertised. Although plastic bags with handles have been banned, bags without handles are widely used across the Islands for meat, fish and pre-packaged portions of fruit, vegetables, flours and seeds. Other issues include a lack of adequate recycling and waste collection points, fly-tipping, and the contamination of organic and recyclable waste by plastics, which leads to waste being incinerated or sent to landfill on the Islands.

In 2023, GCT was influential in the decision of the Galapagos Governing Council to reactivate its inter-institutional commission on the responsible use and reduction of single-use plastics in Galapagos, which had been dormant for a number of years. The commission brings together key stakeholders from both public and private sector organisations, and comprises three technical committees: public policy, environmental education and the circular economy. The aims of the commission are to raise awareness among the local population and tourists of the harm caused to the natural environment by plastic pollution, and to establish strategies for the responsible consumption of biodegradable and environmentally-friendly alternatives to single-use plastics.

GCT is represented on the commission by our Programmes and Policy Manager, Lucía Norris, who chairs the public policy committee. We are also leading a project to develop community-led solutions for single-use plastic alternatives, supported by the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund. Our local partner NGO, Fundación Un Cambio por la Vida (FUNCAVID), is part of the commission, and recently contributed to a publicity campaign at Quito and Guayaquil airports on the Ecuadorian mainland, with prominent signage providing information about which plastic products are banned in Galapagos.

Community innovation to tackle single-use plastics

In April, GCT launched a social innovation challenge in Galapagos, in collaboration with FUNCAVID and the Galapagos Hub for Sustainability, Innovation and Resilience. This challenge called on the local community to develop practical solutions that promote behavioural change within the Galapagos community concerning the use of single-use plastic bags. The challenge targets four main areas: reducing the use of single-use plastic bags, replacing them with sustainable alternatives, creating community models that support sustainable practices, and coming up with innovative ways to incentivise behavioural change.

This initiative aims to foster a community of innovators who can collaborate and share knowledge to develop new sustainable ideas and products. It also seeks to raise awareness about plastic pollution and promote active participation in reducing single-use plastics through innovative and community-driven solutions.

Eight proposals were submitted, ranging from biodegradable corn starch sleeves for local chicken and fish stock, to fabric covers for fruit and vegetables being imported from Quito. Four workshops took place in June with the registered teams, with each workshop themed and led by experts in their field. Subjects included practical information about budgeting, a deeper exploration of what ‘social innovation’ means, and training on how to put together a pitch.

The jury, made up of circular economy experts selected by the Galapagos Hub, then evaluated all proposals and selected three pilots to go through to the next stage – two on Santa Cruz and one on San Cristobal. All three proposals explore the use of fabric bags of different specifications as an alternative to single-use plastic bags. The three teams are: Fundas Térmicas, led by Nancy Velásquez and Israel Robalino; Tortuga Tote, led by Fernando Lagos, Lixue Piu, Nayely Zambrano and Ibrahí Rodríguez; and ¡Co.Bag!, led by Wilson Andrade and Ana Cristina Benavides. We look forward to reporting back on their progress later this year.

How to reduce your plastic footprint

All visitors to Galapagos have a responsibility to keep the Islands free from single-use plastics, whether by bringing reusable alternatives with them, refusing single-use plastic items such as straws while on the Islands, or taking as much of their rubbish home as possible, easing the burden on overloaded waste disposal facilities.

Here are a just a few of the ways that you can reduce your plastic impact, both in Galapagos and at home:

• Use reusable shopping bags
• Use a reusable water bottle and coffee cup
• Use paper straws or a reusable metal straw
• Use Tupperware to store food instead of plastic bags or cellophane
• Buy food without plastic packaging wherever possible
• Use a bamboo toothbrush and toothpaste in a reusable glass jar
• Get your milk and orange juice delivered in glass bottles
• Try making homemade hummus and yoghurt
• Use shampoo and soap bars instead of liquid soap in bottles
• Use safety razors instead of disposables