HOW does so much rubbish end up on our beaches and where is it al coming from? We have been asked this question thousands of times over the years and the simple answer is that nearly all of it comes down rivers.
People drop rubbish in the street miles away from the sea and it goes down a drain, into a stream, into a river and eventually out to sea and then gets washed up on the beach. Research shows that around 90% of rubbish arrives on beaches this way and the other 10% comes from ships and a very small amount is actually dropped on the beach.
So, picking up rubbish inland before it gets into drains and rivers is a really good way of keeping the oceans and beaches clean. With this in mind, this weekend we are cleaning up miles away from the beaches with a community clean-up event in St John’s.
St John’s primary school have been great supporters of Beach Buddies for many years and we hold at least two big events a year with them close to the school, but on Sunday (May 19th) we will be asking volunteers to collect rubbish from all around the village and along the old railway line, riverside and footpaths.
Meet at the usual time of 10.30am at the car park at the oid railway station, close to the school and finish no later than 12 noon. As always, new volunteers of all ages are very welcome. Please join in – you will meet some great like-minded people.
* Beach Buddies is sponsored by FIM Capital. We rely totally on much needed and very much appreciated donations, no matter how small. To sponsor one of our seaside bins, or to help us buy much-needed equipment such as a new truck, a trailer or litterpickers please send a message to beachbuddiesisleofman@gmail.com or visit our website (www.beachbuddies.org.im) where you can make a donation via the QR code.
