On the eve of the summer season, around 1,000 volunteers came together for one of the largest coastal clean-up actions held in recent years at Cape of Rodon, one of the most beautiful yet environmentally sensitive areas of the Albanian coastline.

The initiative was launched by the President of Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria (CCBS), Luca Busi, in collaboration with the non-profit organization Eco-Mendje, and received the support of the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, the Prefecture of Durrës, and several local institutions.

Employees from Coca-Cola Bottling Shqipëria and Uji i Ftohtë Tepelene temporarily paused their daily operations to join young volunteers from Eco-Mendje, many of whom traveled from Shkodra and other cities, to help clean one of the country’s most important natural and cultural destinations.

“We wanted both CCBS and Uji Tepelene to be at the forefront of this important environmental initiative,” said Luca Busi. “We are highly sensitive to environmental issues and the impact our products can have. This was a personal commitment, and we are proud to stand side by side with young volunteers to help clean our beaches and protect the natural beauty of Albania.”

Volunteers from Shkodra, Tepelena, Tirana, and Durrës joined forces with environmental institutions and partners to restore the area and prepare it for the summer tourism season. The action aimed not only to remove waste, but also to highlight the unique combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage found at Cape of Rodon, including its historic castle, church, and coastal landscapes.

By the end of the day, volunteers had collected more than 1,500 bags of marine debris, plastic, and other waste, transforming the coastline and replacing polluted scenes with a cleaner, more welcoming environment.

The initiative stands as a powerful example of how collective action, youth engagement, and public-private collaboration can make a tangible difference in protecting Albania’s natural treasures.