We have been doing beach cleans by ourselves
(although mostly just Hugh now) since May 2020 & have now completed over 100.
We mainly do these on our local beaches around Newcastle however,
have also done them on Australian holidays in Perth and Cairns.
You may wonder how such a small action by an individual can make a difference, yet when it comes to beach cleans a 2023 research project in Norway
“found evidence that beach clean ups rapidly and dramatically reduce the amount of microplastics in the environment”.
Following the research, it was reported that:
Their study, conducted on an island near Bergen, found that a year after
plastic items were removed from the shoreline, the amount of microplastics
on shore and in the water fell by as much as 99.5%.
The study’s authors believe the high levels of UV light and warm temperatures found in shallow waters leads to the plastic
disintegrating much more quickly than previously thought.
This research finding suggests that the regular removal of large pieces of plastic from beaches and waterways before they are exposed to the elements will dramatically reduce the amount of microplastics that are generated.
Other articles & studies found that beach cleans can help improve your mood
(it certainly makes me feel happier), gives you general exercise
benefits and improves how people feel about their local area.
My beach cleans are typically done after a school drop-off.
We live about twenty minutes from Newcastle beaches, however the school
is in-between and a short run after I drop Tiffany at school.
It is great to walk along the beach, do a cleanup and then
drive back home for a full days’ work.
It also gives opportunity for a chance to chat with those either going for an early walk or swim.
A quick connection with those in our local community is always a good thing, even if just chatting about rubbish.
What I find on the beach differs from week to week, season to season and dependent a lot on the weather.
In winter during calm weather, sometimes I don’t find a lot.
In summer and storms, I can find more than I can collect in the hour I usually take.
Why the difference?
It seems to depend on things such as:
Tides/currents – I find a lot of rubbish washed up with things such as seaweed, marine debris (sticks etc)
and so I assume the tides can often move rubbish around at sea, without always washing it to land.
Storms – I always find a lot of rubbish on the beaches after storms.
Additionally at lot seems to be washed off land and into waterways leading to the beaches.
This particularly impacts Horseshoe Beach in Newcastle where the river meets the ocean.
This is where we can make a big impact in making sure our rubbish goes to bins, rather than ending up in waterways and drains.
Summer and Holidays – I always find more macro-plastics/rubbish when more people are around the beach.
Makes sense I guess, more people equals more rubbish.
Again, this is where with more care we can reduce the impacts on our environment by making sure we dispose of rubbish correctly.
Does getting to a beach and doing a cleanup help save the planet?
It seems they do, and they also are good for us physically and mentally.
Even if you are not near a beach, stopping and picking up even one piece of rubbish helps.
Whilst your single action or newave purchase may seem small in a worldwide view, the ripple effect across the world makes a big difference to saving the planet.
