As part of its Travel for Good program, Melia Hotels & Resorts has set the goal of removing more than 20 tons of plastic from the Mediterranean Sea in 2025.
Coinciding with World Oceans Day on June 8, Melia Hotels & Resorts has reinforced its commitment to the environment with a new edition of the Melia for the Oceans program.
In partnership with Gravity Wave—a group dedicated to cleaning and regenerating the seas—the initiative aims to remove more than 20,000 kg (20+ tons) 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 Melia and Gravity Wave partnership began in 2024 on the coast of Ibiza, when the new Melia Ibiza opened—in its first season, over 3,000 kg (3.3 tons) of plastic were cleaned from the waters. 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, Melia for the Oceans will expand this year to include over 20 hotels across key locations in Spain and Europe, including Mallorca, Sitges, Cadiz, Tenerife, Albania, Madrid and Barcelona.
Not only will the recovered plastics be kept out of marine ecosystems, but they will also be repurposed for hotel use, becoming part of the guest experience and reinforcing the brand’s sustainability message to both guests and team members.
The Melia for the Oceans program comes under the umbrella of Melia’s Travel for Good program, through which Melia Hotels International defines its responsible business strategy and reinforces its environmental commitment.
Recycled Works of Art
In addition to being turned into sustainable items for the hotels, 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 art. These pieces will be showcased in hotel common areas and incorporated into the properties’ design.
To help amplify the project’s reach and impact, Melia 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.
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