Zlarin Becomes Croatia's First Plastic-Free Island

If you have found a vacation rental in Sibenik and are planning on exploring the archipelago, you might be looking for different towns, attractions, areas, and islands to visit on day trips. While there are many to choose from, one of the most unique and interesting spots to hit up must be the island of Zlarin. It is a must-see for those interested in taking care of the environment and environmental policies around the globe as it has recently been announced to be Croatia’s first zero waste, plastic-free island! Incredibly beautiful as it is, this latest announcement only makes the stunning island all the more appealing and is certain to ensure that it remains an unspoiled gem.

Zlarin is actually known as the “golden island” due to the unspoiled nature of its beauty. Made up of pine forests, perfect sandy beaches, interesting coves, outstanding sunsets, and one traditional village, it is a place where life has gone untouched by the frenetic pace of modern life. Traditionally an island of fishermen and sailors, Zlarin is famous for its culture of coral harvesting and coral jewellery production. There is even a Coral Museum on the island and you can, of course, also purchase wonderful handmade objects made from coral to this day.

With Illyrian and Roman roots, the island has long been inhabited and, yet, has remained unspoiled, despite the long history of humankind on the mass of land. This wonderful stewardship and protection of the island has only increased with the recent movement that saw a group of local activists motivated by the European Single Use Plastic Directive work to make Zlarin a plastic-free island.

They won a contest for best innovative solutions to help stop further plastic pollution in the Adriatic Sea and, a few months later, all shops, restaurants, NGOs and local authorities signed a declaration to replace all disposable plastic with more environmentally friendly solutions. This wonderful achievement is sure to make the island only more appealing to lots of mindful tourists planning on visiting Croatia from now on! Congratulations to everyone involved!