Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual event that brings together people from all over the world to help protect our oceans and marine life.
This event is an opportunity for individuals and communities to make a difference by cleaning up trash and debris from beaches and waterways.
Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day is important because it helps to reduce the amount of trash that ends up in our oceans, which can harm marine life and pollute our environment.
Overview:
- The Impact of Trash on the Environment
- How to Participate in Coastal Cleanup Day
- Beach Cleanup Organizations
- The Benefits of Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day
- F.A.Q.s
- Conclusion
The impact of trash on the environment
Trash has a significant impact on the environment.
When trash is left on beaches and in waterways, it can harm marine life and pollute our oceans.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA):
It is believed that at least 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans every year, and make up 80 percent of all marine debris from surface waters to deep-sea sediments.
Trash can also hurt the environment by contributing to climate change.
When trash decomposes, it releases methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming.
The impact of trash on marine life is particularly concerning because it can cause harm to animals that live in or near the ocean.
For example, plastic bags and other debris can be mistaken for food by marine animals, which can lead to injury or death.
How to Participate in Coastal Cleanup Day
Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day can be both fun and easy!
There are many ways to get involved, including joining a local cleanup event or organizing your own.
To get started, visit the Coastal Cleanup Day website to find an event near you.
You can also organize your own beach cleanup event.
There are many resources online that offer valuable help to get you started.
Some tips for organizing a successful beach cleanup event include:
Choosing a Location:
Decide where you’d like to hold your beach cleanup – locally or globally.
Choose a Leader and a Sponsor:
Having extra help from another person that is both responsible and passionate can help motivate everyone to participate in the event.
A sponsor can provide financial support or supplies for the cleanup.
Publicize Your Event and Find Volunteers Ahead of Time:
Advertise your event on social media, local newspapers, or community bulletin boards to attract volunteers.
You can also reach out to local schools, clubs, or organizations to see if they would be interested in participating.
Organize Waste Removal/Recycling Methods:
Make sure you have a plan for how to dispose of the waste collected during the cleanup.
This could include arranging for trash pickup or finding a recycling center that will accept the waste.
Document Your Event:
Take photos and share them on social media to raise awareness about the importance of keeping our beaches clean.
You can also write a blog post or article about the event to share with your community.
Lastly, don’t forget to provide adequate supplies, such as trash bags and gloves, and plan for emergencies by checking the weather and setting up a first aid station.
It’s important to reward volunteers with snacks, drinks, and treats as a way of saying thank you.
Good luck with your beach cleanup event!
Beach CleanUp Organizations
There are many beach cleanup organizations as well as single founders that are helping to make a difference in the ocean.
For instance, Boyan Slat founded The Ocean Cleanup, a non-profit organization in his hometown in the Netherlands.
He created System 002 (also known as Jenny) a machine that removes plastic from the ocean.
They have collected: 2,669,269 kg of trash from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Currently, they are creating a new machine called System 03 with a goal of removing floating plastic by 90% by 2040.
Their studies have shown that around 80% of plastic pollution in rivers originates from just 1000 rivers.
Another great organization worth mentioning is Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii which is a grassroots local nonprofit organization in Hawaii, U.S.
Related Similar Posts: 20 Best Ocean Conservation Organizations Changing the World
Their mission is to inspire local communities to care for their coastlines through their programs.
Some of their programs involve the LARGE-SCALE CLEANUP.
Which are beach cleanups that are done through education and community engagement.
Furthermore, their SUSTAINEVENTS program helps people who are planning events (fundraisers, weddings, private events, etc.) to help reduce waste.
They work with clients by helping them divert waste through education such as hosting zero-waste or sustainable events.
The goal is to shed light on changing how waste is consumed in Hawaii and inspiring to make better changes for the environment.
These are a few organizations mentioned, but if you’re interested in learning more check out our posts on 20 Best Ocean Conservation Organizations Changing the World.
The Benefits of Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day
Participating in Coastal Cleanup Day has many benefits.
First and foremost, it helps to protect the environment by removing trash and debris from beaches and waterways.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Marine debris threatens over 265 different species of marine and coastal wildlife through entanglement, smothering, and interference with digestive systems.
While it’s difficult to know the exact number of marine wildlife that gets killed each year due to plastic pollution.
It is estimated that between 100,000 and 1 million marine animals (turtles, whales, seagulls, and sharks to name a few) die each year due to plastic pollution that ends up in the ocean waters.
When marine debris is removed from oceans, there is less of a chance that marine life will be harmed by ingesting or becoming entangled.
In addition, participating in a beach cleanup day gives you an opportunity to meet new people who care about the environment and want to make a difference as well.
Furthermore, it’s also a great way to get out and get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors while doing something good for the planet.
Finally, Coastal Cleanup Day is making a difference by raising awareness about protecting the environment and encouraging people to take action.
By participating in Coastal Cleanup Day, you can help to make a difference in your community and the planet.
F.A.Q.s
what is the international coastal cleanup day?
The International Coastal Cleanup Day is an annual event that was founded by Linda Maraniss and Kathy O’Hara.
Its purpose is to encourage people to spend a day picking up trash at a beach either locally or globally.
Helping raise awareness to protecting and preserving the oceans.
Every third Saturday in September this event takes place and has had thousands of volunteers ranging from over 100 countries participate.
You can learn more information by going to the International Coastal Cleanup Day website.
what date is world cleanup day?
World Cleanup Day is another annual event that takes place every third Saturday in September.
Its purpose is similar to International Coastal Cleanup Day, but its focus is encouraging people to spend a day picking up trash around their communities, not just at the beach.
This includes cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from beaches, rivers, forests, and streets.
The goal is to raise awareness of the global waste problem and to build a cleaner and more sustainable world.
It’s a great way to make a positive impact on the environment!
what is the Oregon beach cleanup 2023?
The Oregon Beach Cleanup is an annual event hosted by SOLVE.
A non-profit organization in Oregon is taking collective action to protect & improve the waterways from start to finish.
It’s backed by community-led projects and supported by thousands of volunteers who help out daily.
In 2023, SOLVE’s goal is to highlight over 100 project sites statewide, from up and down the Oregon Coast to Portland and the Willamette Valley to Central and Eastern Oregon
The SOLVE hosted the Oregon Spring Beach Cleanup on April 22, 2023.
You can learn more about this organization by checking out their homepage online to learn more about how to get involved at their site.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Coastal Cleanup Day is a great opportunity for individuals to make a difference in protecting our oceans and waterways.
It doesn’t solve all the problems needed to protect our oceans, but it’s a step in the right direction.
By participating in a local beach cleanup, you can help remove harmful litter and debris from the environment, raise awareness about the importance of reducing waste, and inspire others to take action.
Every piece of trash removed from the beach makes a difference, so don’t hesitate to get involved and make a positive impact on the environment.
Let us know in the comments below if you’ve ever participated in a Coastal Cleanup Day or looking to plan one!
Happy Beach Travels!
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