7000 kilograms of litter removed from North Coast beaches

Grandparents, children and even dogs were eager to help on the recent World Clean Up Day which broke the record as the largest peacetime civic action in human history.

Uvemvane honorary officers’ group chairperson Liesl Venter headed up the beach clean ups at Ballito, Blythedale, Zinkwazi and Tugela South Beach and said they collected 294 bags of litter in total.

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“The outcome was as follows: 150 people at Salmon Bay collected 50 bags weighing 4000 kilograms; 200 people collected 180 bags weighing 2000 kilograms at Blythedale; Zinkwazi saw 50 people pick up 40 bags of litter weighing 350 kilograms and Tugela South had 20 people picking up 24 bags weighing 500 kilograms,” said Venter.

“The items we saw most of were foam cups, fishing line, plastic cool drink bottles, glass beer bottles and chip wrappers. We even collected two five-litre water containers full of nurdles which are still polluting our beaches nearly a year after they leaked out of the container ship at the Durban harbour.”

She said they were incredibly thankful for the support from the volunteers and companies who sponsored the them and helped make the day possible.

“Sappi gave 300 goody bags to the children who came along, Rencken Spar in Mandeni donated chips and cool drinks, Dis-Chem gave hygienic gloves to everyone picking up litter and Zinkwazi Ski Boat Club made 300 hot dogs.”

Venter highlighted the importance of continuing the habit of picking up litter while you are on the beach and being aware of the litter you throw away everyday.

“Our aim is not only to clean our beaches, but to educate and encourage people to change their behaviour which causes them to litter.”

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