Picture this. You're heading to the beach to surf or hang with the family. As you reach the sand and make your way towards the water, you're greeted with a not-so-pleasant sight.
Plastic bottles, food wrappers and those damn Covid masks are either half-buried, washed up or tangled in the vegetation. Whether you're an eco-warrior or not, we can all agree that it darkens the soul to see our beautiful beaches being treated like a trash can.
Picking up the odd bit of trash after leaving the beach is admirable. We do the same when we're hanging on the sand with our family.
If you really want to make a difference though, perhaps you can organise a beach clean-up event?
What is a beach clean-up?
A beach clean-up event is a community or organisation-led event whereby volunteers come together to clean up litter and debris from a beach or coastal area.
The aim is to remove materials that can injure marine life or damage local flora, improve the appearance of the beach and educate people about the importance of keeping our beaches clean.
Why should I consider organising one?
Organising a beach clean-up is a great way to make a positive impact on the environment and your community.
It also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the issue of marine pollution and inspire others to take action.
No doubt it's hard work. From the coordinating of the event to the actual task of cleaning up trash and debris, you'll need commitment and dedication.
The good news is that with the advent of social media and more and more people enjoying all the ocean's goodies, it's never been easier to rally a clean-up crew.
What does organising a beach clean-up event normally involve?
There's a common misconception that beach clean-ups need to be grand, multi-organisational events to make a difference.
In reality, even small-scale events can have a significant impact on the surrounding environment and community.
You could wrangle a few friends together and finish with a beach BBQ or convince your family to swap Sunday brunch for a few hours spent cleaning the shoreline.
The more people you involve, the bigger your impact will be, but even a group of 2-5 people can make a difference.
5 steps to organising a beach clean-up at your local
Ever thought to yourself, "Instead of just picking up trash after I leave the beach, why not organise a beach clean-up event"?
As we said earlier, it's never been easier to coordinate a beach clean-up at your beloved stretch of sand. Here are 5 easy steps to get you started.
Step 1: Plan your event
Social media has become more and more self-serving in recent years, and while we advocate putting the phone down and getting outdoors, beach clean-ups are one area in which it can be used for good.
Start by choosing a suitable beach, date and time for everyone to meet. You can then create an event on Facebook, Instagram or other platforms to invite and inform people.
Remember, beach clean-ups can also be fun, rewarding and great for fitness, so don't forget to mention that!
Side note: While this isn't always the case, most of your mates are probably surfers. Take into account the surf forecast for the day in question. The worse the forecast, the more likely your surfer friends will be available to help out!
Step 2: Assemble your team
Assuming you've already roped in some friends or family, you're off to a good start. But don't be afraid to reach out to local community groups, organisations, schools or businesses for more volunteers.
Again, you can go as big or as small with your beach clean-up.
The whole point is that you lead by example. Be sure to message anyone who has registered their interest in your event to confirm details and answer any questions they may have.
A personal “Thanks for your support” DM also goes a long way!
Step 3: Gather supplies and equipment
Now that the event is set in stone and you've got a small team, you'll need to gather some supplies and equipment.
This could include gloves, rubbish bags, hand sanitiser, first aid kits and any other relevant tools that may be needed for the clean-up.
Again, consider reaching out to local businesses or organisations for donations or sponsorship to help cover the costs.
You might even suggest that different beach clean-up members chip in for different items. For example, one member could buy garbage bags while another brings gloves.
Step 4: Promote your event
The more people who hear about your beach clean-up, the better.
Share your event on social media platforms and consider reaching out to local newspapers or radio stations for coverage.
You can also create flyers and posters to hang around town, on community notice boards or at nearby beaches to spread the word, but these days Instagram and Facebook can do a lot of heavy lifting.
If you want to make your beach clean-up event really stand out, use Canva to create a cool online flyer that you can share on social media.
You might even have an artist or graphic design friend who can draw an eye-catching illustration to be used in your promotional material!
Step 5: Execute your clean-up
The day has arrived!
If you've managed to set a date, hustle a decent crew and get the word out, you're all set to make a positive impact on your local beach.
Make sure everyone knows where to meet, what supplies they should bring and any safety precautions that may be necessary.
Ultimately, the goal is to rid the beach of any litter and debris, so make sure everyone has a specific area to focus on and consider working in pairs.
Once the clean-up is done, take some time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour. Don't forget, our Beach Showers can also be invaluable tools for cleaning yourself and your team up after the event.
A BBQ, cold drinks or even just a dip in the ocean are all great ways to celebrate and bond with your team.
Any photos you take of the event can be used to promote future meet-ups too, although if the job has been done well enough, you shouldn't need to organise another clean-up anytime soon!
Final thoughts
It might seem weird writing a whole article about how to pick up trash from your local beach, but the truth is, it's an important and impactful thing to do.
Beach clean-ups not only help preserve the environment, but they also bring communities together and inspire others to take action. Plus, let's be real, who doesn't love a good beach BBQ with mates?
The next time you're enjoying a day at the beach, take a moment to look around and see if there's anything you can do to make it cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone. Even just taking a few bits of trash with you when you leave can make a difference!
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