Costa Blanca North

140 hospitality businesses join summer sustainability challenge in Calpe

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2026

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More than 140 bars, restaurants and cafés across Calpe have joined forces with Ecovidrio as the Costa Blanca resort launches its latest summer drive to boost glass recycling during one of the busiest periods of the year.

The initiative, which began on July 1, sees the town competing against 28 other municipalities across the Valencian Community in the seventh edition of Ecovidrio’s Green Flags Movement. The campaign rewards coastal destinations that demonstrate the strongest commitment to glass recycling and the circular economy throughout the peak tourist season.

Calpe is aiming to retain the Green Flag of Sustainability it secured in the previous edition, reflecting the municipality’s ongoing efforts to reduce waste while welcoming thousands of holidaymakers over the summer months.

Why summer recycling matters

The campaign comes at a crucial time of year. Around one-third of all glass packaging placed on the market in Spain is consumed during the summer, when tourism reaches its highest levels. Restaurants, bars and beach clubs generate roughly half of all single-use glass packaging waste, making the hospitality industry central to improving recycling rates.

By encouraging businesses to recycle more effectively, organisers hope to reduce landfill waste, cut carbon emissions and promote a more sustainable tourism model along Spain’s coastline.

To support participating venues, Ecovidrio will install around 200 additional recycling containers and provide approximately 1,300 wheeled collection bins free of charge. Nearly 100 environmental educators will also visit businesses throughout the summer, offering advice on best recycling practices and helping establishments improve waste management.

More than just recycling

The Green Flags Movement doesn’t only measure how much glass is collected. Municipalities are also assessed on wider sustainability efforts, including responsible waste management, efficient use of water and energy, sustainable purchasing policies and public awareness campaigns.

This year, two hospitality businesses from the Valencian Community will also receive special recognition for their environmental commitment, with judges evaluating initiatives that go beyond basic recycling to embrace broader sustainable practices.

For a municipality to qualify for the Green Flag, at least half of its hospitality businesses must take part, while the town must also improve its separate glass collection compared with the previous year and actively promote recycling among residents and visitors alike.

Competition across Spain

The challenge extends far beyond Calpe. More than 120 coastal municipalities and over 12,000 hospitality businesses across Spain are participating in this year’s campaign.

Nine Green Flags will ultimately be awarded nationwide, with two going to municipalities in the Valencian Community. New for 2026, the highest-scoring municipality in each autonomous community will also receive a public environmental awareness campaign designed to further encourage residents and visitors to recycle.

As tourism continues to bring millions of visitors to Spain’s Mediterranean coast each summer, initiatives like this aim to ensure popular destinations such as Calpe can balance a thriving hospitality sector with stronger environmental responsibility, helping protect the coastline for future generations.

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Costa Blanca North

Why the return of these five rare birds has Costa Blanca conservationists celebrating

Published

1 day ago

July 6, 2026

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Five young ospreys released in the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park have returned to the Valencian Community after completing an extraordinary migration believed to have taken them as far as Africa, marking a major milestone in efforts to restore the species to the region.

The returning birds are part of an ambitious conservation programme that aims to re-establish breeding ospreys along the Valencian coastline after the species disappeared as a nesting bird from the area decades ago. Wildlife experts say the latest returns represent one of the strongest signs yet that the project is succeeding.

A conservation success story

Four of the birds were released in 2024 and have now returned for the first time after spending their first year away. A fifth male, originally released in 2023, has completed his second successful return, showing that the birds are beginning to establish a lasting connection with the region.

The ospreys all originated from Scotland, where chicks are transferred each year through a partnership involving the Valencian regional government, the Fundación Migres, the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Fundación Iberdrola España. Since 2023, twelve young birds have been brought to the Marjal de Pego-Oliva annually as part of the reintroduction programme.

Tracked across the Mediterranean

The birds have been spotted at several protected wetlands across eastern Spain and the Balearic Islands rather than all returning to the same location.

One female was photographed in Ibiza’s Ses Salines Natural Park in May, while two males were observed at the Estanys d’Almenara nature reserve. Another returned to the Marjal de Pego-Oliva itself, while the experienced male from the 2023 release was located near newly installed nesting platforms in l’Albufera Natural Park.

Conservationists say this behaviour matches the osprey’s natural life cycle. Young birds generally remain in their wintering grounds during their first year before returning to their birthplace or release site in their second year.

Hope for future breeding pairs

One particularly encouraging sign is that four of the returning males have already been seen visiting or using artificial nesting platforms installed across wetlands in Pego, Oliva, Dénia, Jávea and Almenara.

These specially constructed nests have been designed to encourage the birds to settle permanently and eventually form breeding pairs, something conservationists hope could happen over the coming years.

Officials will continue monitoring the birds throughout the season to see whether they remain in the Valencian Community until they reach breeding age. If they do, the region could witness its first naturally breeding ospreys in more than half a century, representing a landmark achievement for one of Spain’s most ambitious wildlife recovery programmes.

Costa Blanca North

Denia’s Fiestas Mayores 2026: Highlights from the final weekend schedule

Published

2 days ago

July 5, 2026

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Denia celebrates its traditional summer festival with concerts and parades.
Photo Credit: Denia Town Hall

In mid-July, the coastal city of Denia will transform into a bustling hub of culture, music, and tradition for its annual Fiestas Mayores in honour of the Santíssima Sang, a major event on the Costa Blanca. This year’s celebration sets a high bar, blending decades of beloved heritage with an ambitious contemporary lineup featuring more than sixty cultural events spread across more than a week during the vibrant Mediterranean summer.

Weekend kickoff and musical tributes: Denia’s vibrant summer fiestas heat up

The weekend kickoff leans heavily into classic local flavor and musical tributes. Thursday, July 9 introduces the high-speed carrera de cintas, or motorcycle ribbon race, down Calle Marqués de Campo at 6:00 PM, followed later by a “Rosas Kamikazes” tribute concert honouring La Oreja de Van Gogh and Amaral. Friday, July 10 will bring a coastal flair with the 27th edition of the Cantada de Habaneras, or traditional sea shanties, at the port area starting at 11:00pm, while solo artists Eleski and Serko take over the Calle de la Via stage earlier in the evening.

The grand parade of floats takes centre stage

Saturday marks one of the most anticipated single events of the entire festival: the grand desfile de carrozas (parade of floats). Starting at 6:30pm, beautifully detailed, handcrafted floats will wind through Marqués de Campo in a colourful celebration of local artistry and neighbourhood pride.

That same evening, Plaza del Consell will host rock performances by Sagrat and Metalmareny at 11:00pm, while the Tokyo Band orchestra keeps the party going on Calle de la Via until the small hours of the morning.

Family entertainment and the grand finale: Welcoming summer with Denia’s biggest party

The final day wraps up the festivities with events for all ages. Car enthusiasts can check out a classic car and motorcycle exhibition on Marqués de Campo in the morning. By evening, families can gather for the children’s musical Gisela: Una historia encantada at 8:00pm on Calle de la Via, or catch the Caballos de ensueño equestrian show at the port’s bullring.

The town will host vibrant street spectacles as well, including family-focused concerts, theatre performances, and magic shows.

Costa Blanca North

Pedreguer healthcare professional earns national recognition

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

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Local nurse awarded at the VIII National Congress of School Nurses
Credit: Ajuntament de Pedreguer/ Instagram

A school nurse from Pedreguer has received national recognition after her research into improving children’s health and wellbeing in schools was honoured with a prestigious award.

Deva Fernández, who works as a school nurse in the Marina Alta municipality, was presented with the award by the Spanish Association of School Nursing (ACEESE) in recognition of her contribution to advancing school healthcare through research. The accolade highlights the growing importance of evidence-based nursing within educational settings.

Research focused on improving school health

Fernández’s research explored key aspects of school nursing and how healthcare professionals can better support children, families and teachers within the education system. Her work stood out among entries from across Spain and was recognised for both its quality and its practical value.

School nurses play an increasingly important role in managing chronic illnesses, responding to medical emergencies, promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting students’ mental wellbeing. Awards such as this underline the profession’s expanding influence beyond traditional healthcare environments.

Receiving a national honour also shines a spotlight on the work being carried out by healthcare professionals in smaller communities like Pedreguer, demonstrating that innovative research is taking place far beyond Spain’s largest cities.

Recognition for Marina Alta

The award has been welcomed locally as a source of pride for Pedreguer and the wider Marina Alta region. Fernández’s achievement not only celebrates her individual dedication but also raises awareness of the valuable contribution school nurses make every day.

By combining frontline experience with academic research, professionals like Fernández are helping to shape future healthcare practices in schools and improve outcomes for pupils across Spain.

Her recognition comes at a time when school health services are becoming increasingly important, with greater emphasis being placed on prevention, early intervention and supporting students with complex medical needs. Research such as hers provides valuable evidence that can help schools and health authorities develop more effective care strategies for children.

The national award reflects years of commitment to both nursing and education, reinforcing the role that school nurses play as an essential link between families, schools and healthcare services while bringing positive recognition to Pedreguer and the Marina Alta.