Trash Bash for World Oceans Day

BEACHES in Muizenberg, Hout Bay and Melkbosstrand will be cleaned in celebration of World Oceans Day tomorrow.

Named the “Trash Bash”, the clean-up by the Two Oceans Aquarium, its volunteers and supporting partner, the Beach Co-op NPO, takes place from 9am to 11am in Hout Bay.

The one in Melkbosstrand by the Clean C organisation and its volunteers is from 8.30am to 10am, and at Sunrise Beach is from 9.30am to 12.30pm.

What the three organisations have in common is a need for volunteers to help with the clean-ups.

Two Oceans Aquarium communications manager Helen Lockhart said apart from being good for the environment, clean-ups are also good for humans.

“Anyone who’s spent a morning with us on a beach to pick up plastic pollution knows that it’s actually a chance to have a ball, to spend time with friends and family, to breathe in some fresh air and feel the sand between our toes.

“And to leave a slightly better, slightly more informed person,” said Lockhart.

She said the 12 litter items most commonly found on the beaches were carrier bags, chips packets, cigarette lighters, cooldrink bottles and lids, earbuds, fishing line, lightsticks, plastic lollipop sticks, straws, sweet wrappers and water bottles.

Clean C spokesperson Bianca Peace said: “The biggest thing with volunteers is that they come once and not a second time. My personal appeal is for volunteers to bring their children along.”