Eco Amigos, a grassroots volunteer group founded in November 2024, has quickly grown from just five members into a thriving community of over 450 supporters online and a dedicated team of 20 regular volunteers. The group, co-founded by Melissa Vaughn and her husband Daniel in Casares Costa, began after winter storms left local beaches strewn with plastic and debris. Their aim is simple but powerful: to remove man-made waste from natural spaces and inspire collective responsibility for the environment.
Since its launch, Eco Amigos has organised monthly clean-ups, targeting beaches in the cooler months and public areas such as car parks and picnic spots in the summer. Along the way, volunteers have collected everything from plastic bottles and fishing lines to more unusual items, including a bag of couscous and curry spices washed ashore.
The group is now preparing to take part in World Cleanup Day 2025 with two major events. On Saturday, 20th September, Eco Amigos will launch a new Marbella branch led by Carmen Clayton, in collaboration with Costa Women, focusing on cleaning a heavily littered riverbed. The following day, Sunday, 21st September, a large-scale community clean-up will take place at Aldea Beach in Manilva, organised in collaboration with the Saint George Charity. The Marbella event starts at 10.30 am, and is women and children only, whilst the Manilva beach clean starts at 9.30 am, and is open to anyone, with all equipment provided and everyone is welcome to join.
Melissa explains that their motto, “Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something,” captures the spirit of the initiative. Working as a team transforms what could feel like a daunting task into an uplifting experience, often ending with a well-earned coffee or beer together.
With strong community support and rapid growth, Eco Amigos is proving that small actions, multiplied, can make a big impact on the environment and the quality of life in local communities.
Join Eco Amigos and the Saint George Charity on Sunday, 21st September
On Sunday 21st September a collaborative clean-up will target the area of Playa Aldea Beach, Playa Tubalita and the nature reserve situated there. Cleaning will begin at 9.30 am and finish around 11.30 am with the starting point being the wooden bridge a few metres away from the beach bar Meollo Beach. Park at Aldea Beach parking at the end of Calle Aldea.
Gloves, bin bags, hand sanitiser and litter picking sticks will be provided to volunteers on the day. Children are very welcome to help in the clean-up – teaching youngsters about stewardship of the planet is vital. Please note that dogs aren’t encouraged for this event as this isn’t “a beach stroll”, teams will be going slowly and methodically, collecting and recycling as much man-made debris as possible.
Want to lend a hand? Contact Eco Amigos to register on +34 622 060 488 or email ecoamigos.es@gmail.com
