Meliá Hotels & Resorts to Remove over 20 Tons of Plastic from the Mediterranean in 2025

Hospitality Net

2 days ago

As part of the Travel for Good program, through which Meliá Hotels International defines its responsible business strategy, the Meliá Hotels & Resorts brand reinforces its environmental commitment.
Meliá Hotels & Resorts and Gravity Wave strengthen their 'MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS' alliance, aiming to clean up the Mediterranean and help restore its iconic blue
The collaboration, which began last year with the opening of Meliá Ibiza, led to the collection of over 3,000 kg of waste from the sea and ports, repurposing it into new materials
This initiative is part of Meliá Hotels & Resorts' holistic approach— as a brand of the hotel group recognized as the most sustainable in Europe — to well-being, where sustainability and environmental awareness are essential pillars of its experiential offering.
In celebration of World Oceans Day, Meliá Hotels & Resorts—the signature brand of Meliá Hotels International, renowned for its holistic wellbeing philosophy and unmistakable Spanish flair—reaffirms its environmental commitment with a new edition of the 'MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS" program. In partnership with Gravity Wave, a social enterprise dedicated to cleaning and regenerating the seas, the initiative aims to remove more than 20,000 kg of plastic waste from the Mediterranean's waters and ports throughout 2025. The project is a key part of the brand's sustainability strategy, grounded in circular economy principles, responsible design, and environmental awareness.
The partnership began in 2024 on the coast of Ibiza with the launch of the new Meliá Ibiza. In its first season, Meliá Hotels & Resorts and Gravity Wave removed over 3,000 kg of plastic from the Mediterranean. The recovered waste was transformed into functional and sustainable items for the hotel, such as furniture, signage, and giveaways for guests. This initiative marked not only a strong environmental commitment but also the beginning of a long-term collaboration focused on circularity and marine conservation.
Inspired by the success of the initial project, the initiative will expand this year to include over 20 hotels across key locations in Spain and Europe, such as Mallorca, Sitges, Cádiz, Tenerife, Albania, Madrid, and Barcelona.
This year, the target is even more ambitious, with the goal of collecting up to 20 tons of plastic and waste. These materials will be given a second life, turned into meaningful items for the hotels—such as furniture, eco-friendly signage, 3D logos, sustainable gifts, and artwork. Not only will the recovered plastics be kept out of marine ecosystems, but they will also become part of the guest experience, reinforcing the brand's sustainability message to both guests and team members.
Purpose-driven Wellbeing
'MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS" is a concrete expression of the Meliá Hotels & Resorts philosophy, where sustainability is not an isolated initiative but one of the main pillars of its wellbeing offering. For the brand, wellbeing is a holistic concept that encompasses conscious nutrition, mindfulness, experiential sustainability, and a healthy lifestyle. This vision responds to the growing demand from travelers seeking transformative and responsible experiences, and it is fully aligned with Meliá Hotels International's strong commitment to responsible tourism.
As María Romero, Marketing Director of Premium Brands at Meliá, highlights: For Meliá Hotels & Resorts, sustainability is not a trend but a genuine commitment to the present and future of our destinations. Guided by the Travel for Good program, which defines Meliá Hotels International's responsible business strategy, the brand and its hotels actively seek to generate a positive impact. Through initiatives like MELIÁ FOR THE OCEANS, we take care of every part of the environment and turn waste into transformative experiences, aligned with a new way of traveling: more conscious, more human, and more connected to the wellbeing of the planet.
Gravity Wave is a social impact company founded in 2020 by siblings Amaia and Julen Rodríguez, with the mission to free the oceans from plastic and transform marine waste into valuable resources. Following a circular economy model, this Spanish organization collaborates with fishermen, ports, and businesses to remove plastic waste from the Mediterranean and repurpose it into sustainable products. Together with Meliá Hotels & Resorts, these materials are turned into functional pieces integrated into hotel operations—making the brand's sustainability commitment tangible and consistent with its wellbeing philosophy.
We're truly grateful to have a partner like Meliá Hotels & Resorts, whose vision and environmental responsibility allow us to keep moving forward toward a cleaner, healthier Mediterranean. This project is far more than a one-off sustainability action; it's a clear, long-term example of circular economy in action. We're confident it will inspire not only the tourism industry but many other sectors as well. Partnering with one of Spain's most recognized brands gives us hope and proves that protecting our oceans is increasingly possible when we join forces. Álvaro García Artiñano, Head of Partnerships at Gravity Wave
Art as a Vehicle for Awareness
A major new element of the project this year is the collaboration with visual artist @chafer.j, who will transform some of the recovered marine waste into artworks. These pieces will be showcased in hotel common areas and incorporated into the properties' design.
To help amplify the project's reach and impact, Meliá is also partnering with ocean and environmental influencers such as @gadormunta and @mads_ocean, who will help raise awareness and connect with eco-conscious audiences.
Through this initiative, Meliá Hotels & Resorts continues to lead the way in responsible tourism—protecting the Mediterranean while offering meaningful, sustainable guest experiences. The partnership with Gravity Wave promotes a circular economy model that turns marine waste into valuable elements, engaging guests and employees alike in the importance of caring for our natural world.​
About Melia Hotels International
Founded in 1956 in Palma de Mallorca (Spain), Meliá Hotels International has more than 400 hotels open or in the process of opening, in more than 40 countries, and a portfolio of ten brands: Gran Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ME by Meliá, The Meliá Collection, Paradisus by Meliá, Meliá Hotels & Resorts, ZEL, INNSiDE by Meliá, Falcon's Resorts by Meliá, Sol by Meliá, and Affiliated by Meliá. The Company is one of the world's leading hotel chains in the leisure segment and its experience in this area has allowed it to consolidate itself in the growing market of urban hotels inspired by leisure. Its commitment to responsible tourism has led it to be recognised as the world's most sustainable hotel in 2022 according to S&P Global's Corporate Sustainability Assessment, as well as being a "Top Employer 2023" brand in Spain, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Italy and Germany. Meliá Hotels International is also part of the IBEX 35. For more information, please visit www.meliahotelsinternational.com