THE Back-a-Beach initiative, launched by The Litterboom Project, has made a noticeable impact on the coastlines of Durban South. At Cuttings Beach alone, nearly 48 tonnes of waste have been cleared since the project began its work there in December. 

Also read: The Litterboom Project tackles plastic build-up of Cuttings Beach

Evan Masson, The Litterboom Project’s KwaZulu-Natal operations manager, said the organisation carefully selects beaches that need intervention, particularly those close to river mouths where a lot of litter washes up.

“80% of synthetic waste enters the oceans via the river systems, so while our booms aim to intercept waste on the rivers (serviced by our river wardens), the back-a-beach teams are our last line of defence on the beaches,” he said. 

Masson shared that they have a dedicated team that works eight days a month at Cuttings Beach.

“The amount of waste that collects on Cuttings beach is significant and we quickly identified that it was a place where we could make an impact. The area itself is an interesting intersection of industry and wild beach and everything in between,” said Masson. 

Support the project

The Litterboom Project is seeking support from residents and businesses through donations and sponsorships to further the necessary environmental work that they do. If you are interested, visit the organisation’s website, go to the support section and follow the instructions. 

The project also shares updates and ways to get involved on its social media channels at The Litterboom Project. 

Through initiatives like this, The Litterboom Project continues to combat pollution and advocate for the protection of rivers, coastlines and marine ecosystems. 

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