Expensive items of many vacationers or thoughtlessly discarded waste often end up in the water, and worn-out equipment often becomes a puzzle: where to put it when it is no longer usable?
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Dangers and losses: what most often ends up at the bottom of the water?
When actively enjoying water activities, a single careless move or a stronger wave hit is enough for items to end up at the bottom of the body of water. The most common sinking items:
- Smartphones and leisure electronics: When taking photos on a paddleboard or water bike, phones instantly sink into the water. If the device does not have a special waterproof case with a float, the chances of recovery are almost zero.
- Sunglasses and jewelry: When jumping from inflatable mattresses or water trampolines, glasses and chains slip off unnoticed.
- Paddles and inflatable accessories: Improperly secured paddles or additional paddleboard equipment quickly sink if they are not made of buoyant materials.
- Keys and wallets: Water shorts pockets without zippers are one of the most common reasons why after swimming you have to look for specialists to unlock car doors.
Tip: Use floating keychains, waterproof bags (dry bags) that do not sink if dropped into the water, and protective phone cases with neck straps.
Where to put unusable swimming equipment and inflatable items?
Punctured inflatable tires, worn-out mattresses, or cracked plastic paddleboards are a common problem at the end of the summer season. It is important to remember that this waste cannot be left on the shores or thrown into regular household waste and plastic packaging containers.
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1. Inflatable tires, mattresses, and rubber boats (soft PVC and rubber)
- Packaging containers are not suitable: Although inflatable items are often made of plastic (mostly PVC), they are not packaging. They cannot be thrown into yellow packaging containers.
- Where to dispose of them? Such items should be taken to bulky waste collection sites.
2. Hard swimming equipment (paddleboards, kayaks, water bikes)
- Plastic, fiberglass, or foam boards and boats are classified as bulky waste.
- They must be taken to regional bulky waste collection sites.
- If the equipment is still usable but simply no longer needed – consider giving it to “Dėk’ui” / donation points or selling (donating) on second-life platforms.
3. Life jackets and textile accessories
- Worn-out life jackets or water sports clothing (wetsuits) are also recommended to be taken to bulky waste sites or textile collection points (if they accept sports equipment).
What to do to reduce waste?
- Choose quality: cheap disposable inflatable mattresses often do not last even one season. By choosing more durable, multilayer materials, we reduce the amount of waste.
- Glue and repair: Do not rush to throw away a punctured mattress or tire. Using special PVC glue and patches, you can easily repair the inflatable item yourself. Before use, it should be assessed whether it is safe enough to use.
- Rent, don’t buy: If you are only at the water a few times a summer, it is worth renting paddleboards, kayaks, or water bikes. This way you not only save space at home but also contribute to sustainable consumption.
More information can be found in the Environment Protection Department’s prepared sorting guides.
If you have questions, Environment Protection Department specialists will consult you by phone +370 700 02022 or by email konsultacijos@aad.am.lt.
Project “Information on environmental pollution prevention and control”
Project partners: Environment Protection Department, Environment Protection Agency, Lithuanian Geological Survey
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Project implementer – Environmental Project Management Agency
The project is funded by the Cohesion Fund.
