The 3rd edition of the nationwide educational campaign: “10 Cardinal Sins of the Unaware Tourist” under the slogan: Leave No Trace – let’s take care of our waters!
Poland is a country with a rich water network, with over 7,000 lakes and 150,000 rivers, streams, and creeks. These beautiful areas are popular recreational spots, but we are increasingly facing the problem of littering. The banks of rivers, lakes, and Baltic Sea beaches are being covered with waste – especially plastic. Discarded bottles, plastic bags, and other everyday items mar these natural areas and harm aquatic ecosystems.
In response to this problem, we are proud to announce the 3rd edition of the nationwide educational campaign 10GG under the slogan Leave No Trace
Our goal for 2025 is to further raise public awareness regarding the impact of human behavior on the aquatic environment. We want to show how to avoid actions harmful to nature, and especially how important it is to leave no trace of one’s presence near the water.
Leave No Trace – care for the environment!
Our campaign goes beyond the issue of litter. Tourists often unknowingly commit other mistakes, such as damaging vegetation, disturbing wildlife habitats, polluting waters with chemicals, or generating excessive noise that stresses local fauna. These actions, though they may seem trivial, have a lasting and negative impact on aquatic ecosystems.
Together with our partners – for cleaner waters
With the support of our partners – institutions, local governments, and companies – we aim to educate tourists on how to responsibly enjoy the beauty of Poland’s waters. Responsible behavior benefits not only nature but also ourselves. We want rivers, lakes, and beaches to remain beautiful, clean, and accessible to everyone.
Join the Leave No Trace campaign!
We invite you to join our initiative – together, we can protect Poland’s valuable water resources. Let’s work together to preserve our waters! Let’s make rivers, lakes, and beaches beautiful, natural, and free from traces of our presence.
#1 Illegal jetties, wild bathing and areas mooring in the reeds, or destruction of the buffer zone
The creation of sites with access to water results in the destruction of a natural buffer, which significantly contributes to the increase in water pollution and the modification or degradation of habitats and places occupied by animals. Use legally organized places to access water. Do not create and avoid using wild beaches and swimming areas or illegal piers. If you are sailing, avoid entering or stopping in the reeds so as not to destroy vegetation and scare off animals. Mooring boats to trees is also an un-ecological activity.
#2 Burning campfires outside of designated areas, or where do all these PAHs came from?
For many of us, a campfire is one of the most enjoyable aspects of relaxing in nature. However, we should remember to burn them safely, in places designated and prepared for this purpose. A wildfire is not only a fire hazard, but also a place of destruction of the buffer zone and a potential source for the release of many harmful substances into the atmosphere during the combustion process, including particulate matter, carbon monoxide or carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). According to the law, a bonfire can be burned no less than 100 meters from the forest edge and no less than 10 meters from the fields. It would be great if we also provided a distance of at least 100 m from the lake shore. And finally, always remember to put it out carefully.
#3 Physiological needs in the bush, or additional nitrogen supply
Satisfying physiological needs in the proverbial bushes is not only unsightly and unsanitary, but also a burdensome to the environment, as it involves an additional supply of nutrients. Always use designated areas. If you are sailing, make sure your yacht is equipped with the right type of toilet, emptied in ports adapted to receive sewage, not into the water! However, if you need to take care of your needs in the field, be sure to do it at least 100 meters from the shore or even further away. And do not forget the shovel!
#4 Using detergents for washing in the lake, or an extra dose of phosphorus
Laundry detergents, cleaners or dishwashing agents contain harmful chemical componds that contribute to eutrophication, resulting in reduced water transparency, oxygen deficiency, fish die-offs and the disappearance of many plant and animal species. Therefore, remember – bathe in the lake, but wash on land. If you do not have access to a bathroom, wash yourself on land at least 100 meters from the shore, pouring your waste there. And don’t be fooled by catchy labels that declare eco-friendliness or biodegradability – they are often just lies.
#5 Boat fuel and parking lot runoff, or oil pollution
Vehicle traffic and the pollution it generates increase the risk of compounds and substances responsible for chemical exceedances in water and sediment. If you are using a diesel-powered boat, always ensure that fuel does not get into the water. If you are going to the water by car, park in a legal place as far from the shore as possible. Driving close to the water destroys riparian vegetation and increases surface erosion, intensifying the runoff of matter into the waters, but also poses the risk of pollution from exhaust fumes and spills.
#6 Motor boats, or fun at the expense of ecosystem residents
Motor boats of various types affect aquatic ecosystems through exhaust fumes, fuel and operating material spills, and generated noise and wave action. The effects of noise are primarily scaring animals. Increased water movements mechanically destroy vegetation, for example, very valuable stonewort meadows, have a negative impact on habitats of littoral animals or fish spawning grounds, and increase sediment resuspension, contributing to an increase in water turbidity. For enthusiasts of faster swimming or in situations where it is justified, we recommend electric motors.
#7 Garbage on the beach, or plastic in the water
Trash on the shore and in the water not only looks unsightly, but can also pose a threat to the inhabitants of the ecosystem. Plastic packaging, not only does it decompose very slowly (a plastic bottle as long as 1,000 years), but it also produces harmful compounds, as well as microplastics. Always remember to dispose of garbage in the containers intended for this purpose. If there is no garbage bin nearby – take your trash with you and dispose of it when you have the opportunity. Never use a bonfire as a place to dispose of them. Trash must not only be burned in domestic stoves – campfires are subject to the same rules!
#8 Cigarette butts, or the Mendeleev’s table
Cigarette butts are the most common form of trash, with 4.5 trillion discarded worldwide each year. Some of them go directly into the environment. And such a cigarette can contain more than 4,000 substances created in the process of cigarette production and tobacco combustion. Research shows that less than one cigarette butt per liter of water can pose a lethal threat to aquatic organisms. Never throw cigarette butts into water or burn them in a campfire. If you smoke, collect the cigarette butts and dispose of them in a designated place.
#9 Fishing baits, or strange substances in waters miracle-whiskers
Fishing is a common form of recreation in Poland. This is a praiseworthy and recommendable activity, provided that it is done without excessive zeal. The negative impact of angling on aquatic ecosystems is expressed primarily in the increased supply of nutrients due to the use of bait. It decomposes in the water, which provides nutrients and accelerates oxygen depletion. Along with the bait, other strange substances enter the water, such as attractants of undefined composition (including artificial flavors). If you are fishing for pleasure, avoid using bait, and you will not contribute to increasing fertility and deteriorating water quality.
#10 Strange water sports, or water armageddon
And finally, a few words about various modern recreational activities on the water, i.e. all kinds of quadding, wakeborading, diving and other forms of environmental devastation. They contribute to the destruction of vegetation, degradation of plant and animal habitats, fish spawning grounds, and generate loud noises and waves. The noise frightens animals, mainly fish and birds, and the increased water movements destroy submerged vegetation and rushes and increase sediment resuspension. Their cultivation provides contact with nature and unforgettable experiences, but for the ecosystem it is a kind of armageddon. Before you become fascinated with this form of recreation, think about its impact on the ecosystem.
The 2nd edition of the nationwide educational campaign “10 Cardinal Sins of the Unaware Tourist” was a success!
From May 1 to September 30, 2024, the campaign attracted the attention of both local governments and individual participants. A total of 20 municipalities from across Poland took part, and thanks to the involvement of key partners and media sponsors, we were able to reach thousands of people.
Effective Actions
The promotion included an extensive social media campaign, the distribution of educational posters, and a partnership with EU Green Week, which allowed the campaign to expand to a European level. These intensive efforts significantly raised awareness of the need for water conservation and responsible tourism.
Benefits and Future Plans
The campaign has increased awareness of the need for responsible use of water resources, leading to real benefits for the environment. We are already planning future editions of the project to continue our educational mission and promote sustainable tourism throughout Poland.