Volunteers collect 320kg of trash at Treasure Beach clean-up
The most common items picked up during the clean-up included cool drink bottles, straws, lollipop sticks and chip packets.
SIXTY-FIVE bags of waste were collected at Treasure Beach recently. The clean-up was staged to commemorate World Fisheries Day and 62 volunteers pulled up their sleeves for the greater good of the planet.
The event was hosted by Pick n Pay’s People n Planet Clean-Up, in partnership with the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (Wessa), at Treasure Beach.
Nomfundo Ndlovu of Wessa said the aim was to highlight the significance of the fisheries industry and to engage with the locals on the vulnerabilities and viability of fisheries.
“It is important to understand the situational analysis for better management. Our educational programme was intended to encourage responsible fishing methods and consumption habits, but, most importantly, to organise and mobilise the community to take a stand against irresponsible fishing and consumption habits. 
“A huge part of this initiative is shining a spotlight on the consumption of single-use plastic and spreading awareness on how individuals can reduce, reuse and recycle single-use plastic and the impacts of plastic pollution on our oceans,” she said.
A total of 65 bags of waste, weighing in at 320kg, were filled during the clean-up.
Nomfundo said that while the waste varied, the most common items picked up included cool drink bottles, straws, lollipop sticks and chip packets.
She said that beach clean-ups are important as they brings like-minded people together and raised much-needed awareness.
“Clean-ups have always been a good tool to mobilise like-minded people. Everyone is welcome and the beaches are a huge part of the lives of the people in coastal cities or towns, and are accessible to everyone,” she said.
Other sponsors of the event included Krispy Kreme and Safety and Allied products. As the main sponsor, Pick n Pay’s planet programme has supported coastline and inland clean-ups for more than 20 years.
The general manager of sustainability and CSI, Andre Nel, said they are passionate about promoting a sustainable future.
“Our beach clean-ups let us partner with local organisations, like Wessa, to drive public awareness for plastic waste and action for responsible disposal.
“We hope these initiatives inspire recycling behaviour to avoid unnecessary plastic pollution entering the environment in the first place,” he said.
