PHOTOS: Teams tackle plastic pollution in Amanzimtoti

CLEAN Surf Project, along with various businesses and schools, have been hard at work ensuring the coastline and streets are kept litter-free.

Staff from Toyota South Africa Motors in Prospecton recently joined the non-profit organisation’s clean-up around Umbogintwini Beach, collecting a total of 183 bags. Grade 7 learners from Arthur Matthews Primary School and the crew from Outdoor Environmental Education Africa also helped clean up at Illovo Beach.

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Clean Surf Project’s Romy Wenzel said, “Another successful beach clean-up done and dusted with a total of 11 bags and one tyre being collected. The afternoon’s activity was followed by an educational presentation highlighting the negative impact plastic pollution is having on the environment, in particular, marine life. Special thanks to ATKV Natalia Holiday Beach Resort for always allowing us to use the facilities as well as for the assistance with rubbish bag removal,” she said.

While the organisation’s preferred clean-up spot is the coastline, several street clean-ups have taken place in the past few months to prevent litter from either getting blown and/or washed into stormwater drains, canals and rivers in the event of rainfall and/or flooding. Eighty bags were recently collected by Sphiwe Shozi, Zandile Simamane and Thabile Msani along Gordon and Camp roads in Winklespruit.

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Wenzel thanked all those who joined the clean-ups. “Special thanks to Outdoor Environmental Education Africa for the ongoing partnership allowing us to engage with learners from various schools by conducting beach clean-ups and educational presentations throughout the year,” she said.

The next community clean-up takes place at Umbogintwini Beach on September 16, from 09:00 to 11:00, in celebration of International Coastal Clean-Up Day. Bring along some gloves, water, a hat, sunscreen and shoes. Refuse bags will be provided. The address is 1 Golf Course Road, Athlone Park

For more information, or to support clean-up campaigns, contact 082 802 3353/ 083 733 6468 or email cleansurfproject@gmail.com

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