Event Details | |
| Host | Club Nàutic Costa Brava-Club Vela Palamós |
| Location | Palamós, Girona, Spain |
| Certification Level | Silver |
| Website Link | www.palamosoptimisttrophy.org |
Best Practices Achieved
1. Eliminate Single-Use Water Bottles and Provide Water Refill Stations
The organisation provided water refill stations n the event venue to eliminate the use of single-use plastic water bottles and encourage sustainable hydration practices for athletes, support personnel and all the organisation team.
2. Eliminate Plastic Straws
No plastic straws wereused in the regatta's beverage services. They were eliminated years ago.
3. Serve Food with Plastic-Free Dinnerware
Food and beverages offered to teams after the day's races were served using reusable, compostable, or recyclable dinnerware to reduce plastic waste and support environmentally responsible event operations.
4. Skip Bags or Go Reusable
No plastic bags were provided. If needed, the organising team ensured distribution of recycled paper bags and encouraged attendees to use reusable bags whenever needed.
5. Award Practical Items or Use a Perpetual or Upcycled Trophy
Awards and giveaways were selected based on practicality and sustainability. We partner with a local producers to create sustainable trophies using natural and locally sourced materials, supporting both environmental responsibility and the regional economy. A perpetual trophy is awarded to the Absolute Winner.
Sailors are also presented with practical sailing equipment
6. Publicize Your Sustainability Efforts
Sustainability initiatives were promoted through event communications, signage, and announcements on website and social networks and encourage environmentally responsible behavior. A sustainable photocall, created using recycled old fishing nets from local fishermen, contributed raise awareness about marine waste reduction and creative material reuse. Sustainability is also linked with the involvement of local organizations.
7. Involve Local Organizations
Local organizations and community partners are engaged to support event sustainability efforts and strengthen community involvement. The organisers work with local entities and there is a strong involvement with the town schools through the Regatta Educational Programme.
11. Ensure Proper Waste Bin Placement and Signage
Clearly labeled waste, recycling, and compost bins were strategically placed throughout the venue to encourage proper waste separation and diversion.
12. Divert Food Waste from the Landfill
Food waste generated during the event was diverted from landfill disposal through composting, whenever possible.
13. Use Paperless Event Management
Online registration, all regatta management and online communications through the regatta website managed by Sailti Regatta Management and social networks are used to minimize paper consumption and reduce event-related waste. All communications with sailors and coaches are made online through the Sailor and Coach Account on the event website and APP
16. Increase Awareness of Wildlife and Habitat Protection
The event works to raise awareness of wildlife and habitat protection through educational messaging and environmentally responsible event practices through the As mentioned previously, the regatta has a strong educational programme with the participation of all the town schools. Furthermore, the Club still support the EcoNautic initiative: a tool created to promote the 'Culture of the Sea' among all those practising nautical activities. It aims at making people aware of the importance of the seas and oceans and contribute to Global Goal 14 Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
17. Offer Vegetarian or Vegan Alternatives
Vegetarian and vegan meal options were offered to provide varied food choices and accommodate diverse dietary preferences from the different teams.
20. Inspire Future Action
The event works to encourage participants, collaborators, organisation team members and partners to continue adopting sustainable practices beyond the event and support future environmental initiatives. The Palamós Optimist regatta is considered a "sustainable" regatta. The Club’s #SeaClean campaign which started in 2016 has been a great way to involve the local schools as well as the Summer Sailing School participants. Working with the municipality and bringing awareness of the importance of taking care of our oceans to the educational community is a keypoint of the Club.
