World Oceans Day is taking place on Saturday 8 June. To help end the war on plastic, take two hours out of your day to celebrate our magnificent oceans by joining in on one of these beach cleanups – they’re sure to be filled with camaraderie and you’ll feel great about doing your part for marine life and the environment.
According to Plastic Oceans, “We are producing 300 million tons of plastic every year, 50% of which is for single-use purposes – utilized for just a few moments, but on the planet for at least several hundred years. More than 8 million tons of plastic is dumped into our oceans every year.”
The following are organised events to give back and help make a positive change on World Oceans Day, and even again after this date. If you do not see an arranged beach cleanup in your area, you can still take to your local beach to do your part.
Don’t forget to pack along sunblock, a hat, reusable gloves (gardening gloves), an extra bag for plastic waste, and water in a reusable bottle.
Western Cape
Cape Town Beach Cleanup is hosting a World Oceans Day event at Melkbos Beach.
Starting at 8.30 am, meet opposite the NSRI
Simon’s Town
Meet at the car park above Mackerel Bay (opposite Harbour Bay Shopping Centre)
Starting at 10am
A Main-Road-to-ocean cleanup from Simon’s Town Railway Station through to Glencairn Station (approximately 4 km of shoreline) and possibly extended to Fish Hoek (a further 5 km)
Plettenberg Bay
Meet at the Lemongrass Restaurant for a beach cleanup on Lookout Beach.
Starting at 9am, bags will be provided.
Hout Bay Beach
The Two Oceans Aquarium is hosting a beach cleanup on Hout Bay Beach called ‘Trash Bash’
Meet at the Hout Bay Beach parking lot. Look for the blue banners
Starting at 9am until 11am.
KwaZulu-Natal
1. KZN Beach Cleanup group is going to tackle Blue Lagoon from 8-10am. Meet on the grassy patch in front of the pier.
2. Clean Surf Project is hosting a beach cleanup at Toti Lagoon from 9am. There will be parking available at the Old Toti Canoe Club or at Ollies Pub and Grill.
Eastern Cape
Port Elizabeth
1. Sustainable Seas Trust is hosting a World Oceans beach cleanup event from 9am-10.15am at Pollok Beach, Summerstrand.
Image source: Unsplash
