Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
Eco Amigos and the Mil Playas team joined forces on Saturday morning to remove litter from Manilva’s beaches. The St. George Charity, which supported the effort, raised funds for ongoing conservation efforts and removed 248 kilograms worth of trash. Fortunately, this time the weather was kind to the team as previous events were postponed by the extreme weather.
Who are Eco Amigos?
Eco Amigos was founded in Casares Costa by Danny and Melissa Vaughn as a volunteer organization in late 2024. They are dedicated to fighting man-made rubbish in the area. This group of enthusiastic locals as well as foreigners organises cleanups every month in places like Manilva Estepona and Marbella. They celebrated their first anniversary by clearing more than 800 bags in 2025. They emphasize “community involvement” and often partner with Costa Women for events led by women. Their activities have expanded to include World Clean Up Day. Danny Vaughn said in a post that “we were proud to stand alongside them and sponsor [them], showing the group’s dedication to broader environmental issues.”
Who is the Mil Playas project and what are its goals?
Mil Playas, a registered nonprofit grassroots project, consists of four dedicated volunteers, José, Marcelo, Ángel, and Gandalf, who embarked on an epic journey in October 2025 from Cullera, Valencia. The team, which aims to clean 1,000 beaches on nearly 6,000 km of coastline in Spain and Portugal, has collected 20,000 kg of trash despite the challenging weather. They travel in a tiny turquoise van and often sleep outside. They have also sacrificed their jobs to complete this year-long mission. Their focus is not only on cleaning up the beaches, but on educating children about responsible waste disposal and changing cultural attitudes towards litter. The motto of the group, “It is not only about picking up trash; it is about spreading awareness,” resonates with local communities and sustainable business partners.
Manilva added to the impressive total of Mil Playas while inspiring participants to adopt environmentally-friendly habits. The volunteers praised Mil Playas’ “iron men” for their warmth and resilience. Similar beach clean-ups in Costa Tropical, a nearby city, have revealed beaches in surprisingly good shape. This initiative highlights the power collective action. Residents are encouraged via milplayas.org Eco Amigos is organizing a cleanup in your neighborhood. According to Vaughn, the best thing you can do for yourself and others is to maintain your own yard.
