Famed for its designer boutiques, film star visitors and saccharine limoncello, the Italian island of Capri is not typically associated with environmentalism.

However, the popular holiday destination is struggling to manage all of the rubbish left behind by its annual 2.3 million tourists.

As a solution, mayor Gianni De Martino has approved an order banning from the municipality all single-use plastics that are not biodegradable.

Image: The Blue Grotto remains one of the island's most popular tourist attractions

The rules came into force on 1 May and includes plastic bags, cups, utensils, water bottles, straws and even coffee stirrers.

Special attention will be given to the beaches and the coastal strip, which are most affected by pollution for the plastic waste directed to the sea.


Those who are caught swigging from a plastic water bottle in the heat or picnicking with plastic plates on the rugged coastline will be handed a fine of up to €500 (£428).

The order signed by Mr De Martino states: "The use, possession, marketing and importation of disposable products in the entire municipal area, including the beaches and the entire coastline, is mandatory for food use in plastic [cutlery, plates, glasses, trays, coffee posts, containers for removing food, disposable bags] made of biodegradable and compostable material."

In order to allow the exhaustion of stocks and warehouse deposits, the sale and use of the products covered by the order is permitted for 90 days.

Mr De Martino said in order to protect Capri's name and image in the world, it "couldn't avoid participating in an environmental sustainability initiative".

Image: Capri has banned all single-use plastics

One of Capri's best-known natural sites is the Blue Grotto, which is a dark cavern where the sea glows electric blue, and attracts up to 20,000 tourists per day during the summer, many of them daytrippers from the Amalfi Coast.

The majority explore the island for the day and often leave without spending much money, which is not good for the local economy.

Mr De Martino estimated that 85% of Capri's visitors fall into this category.

The island's prohibition comes after the European Parliament marked 2021 as the expiration date of single-use plastics.

Last month, the council of ministers of Italy approved a bill that will allow fishermen to collect the plastic left in their nets.

They previously had to throw it back into the sea to avoid facing a crime of illegal transport of waste, as well as having to pay for its elimination.

:: Sky's Ocean Rescue campaign encourages people to reduce their single-use plastics. You can find out more about the campaign and how to get involved at www.skyoceanrescue.com.