The world’s largest beach cleanup effort is set to take place later this month; it is expected to engage over half a million volunteers!
Global (06 September 2024) — The largest beach cleanup effort is set to take the world by storm and seas later this month, with people from all walks of life and countries near and far gearing up to participate!
On 21 September (World Cleanup Day and International Coastal Cleanup Day), over half a million volunteers are expected to participate. It’ll be the world’s biggest ocean trash bash as part of a decades-spanning effort—the International Coastal Cleanup® (ICC).
Since 1986, the event has celebrated over 18 million volunteers joining forces for the waterbodies of our world. Over time, these volunteers have done a sterling job, removing over 385 million pounds of trash (around 174,633 tonnes) from the world’s beaches and waterways.
Last year was a particular milestone as the 2023 effort saw over 486,000 volunteers collect nearly 8 million pounds (almost 4,000 tonnes) consisting of close to two million cigarette butts, over 1.3 million beverage bottles and more than 850,000 bottle caps.
“Over a garbage truck’s worth of plastics—much of it single-use—enters the ocean every minute, where they accumulate year after year,” says Ocean Conservancy’s Senior Director of the International Coastal Cleanup, Allison Schutes.
“Ocean Conservancy is calling on volunteers worldwide to join this year’s International Coastal Cleanup and #SeatheChange. Every piece of plastic collected and recorded as part of the International Coastal Cleanup informs important research and advocacy and makes a tangible difference for our ocean and the creatures that call it home.”
Local organisations or communities who have plans for a beach or waterway cleanup can add their clean-up to ICC’s radar here and be a part of the global effort to give waste a run for its money.
As for those looking to get involved in freeing South African water beauties from waste, a big river cleanup is happening at the Lisbeek River in the Western Cape, thanks to the Captain Fanplastic team! You can learn more here.
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