Each year in September, International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) encourages individuals to help reduce the challenges the oceans face by going out to clean the beaches. All over the world, people from more than 100 countries participate in clean-ups in celebration of ICC.
The Ocean Conservancy initiated ICC in 1986. The organisation wanted to create a day where volunteers would collect and tally trash on beaches. Using the information collected by the volunteers, sources and trends of marine waste would be identified. It also raised awareness on the threat to marine life and the oceans.
This year, the Sustainable Seas Trust celebrated ICC by holding a beach clean-up in Port Elizabeth on 21st September 2019. It was a beautiful, sunny morning and we were greeted by a large pod of dolphins. Over 100 volunteers came out to show their support. In just two hours on a small stretch of beach, a total of 151kgs of waste was collected.
The top 10 litter items found were: cigarette butts; food wrappers; fishing line; glass bottles; plastic bottle caps; plastic bags; metal bottle caps; plastic bottles; polystyrene containers and straws and stirrers.
Thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating International Coastal Cleanup this year! A special thanks goes out to our Partners Ocean Conservancy, Plastics SA, The Re-Trade Project and The Waste Trade Company.
