40+ Austral staff, friends and family got together for a Coastal Clean-Up in Perth and Cairns to rid some local beaches and waterways of plastic and other marine debris.
The event was planned and pulled together primarily by Austral’s “Plastic Reduction Champion”, Heng. Heng was inspired to organise the clean-up as part of the International Coastal Clean-Up initiative, supported by the Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS).
Armed with gloves, a hessian sack to collect rubbish and some trusty tongs, our teams of 4 set out to collect as much plastic and rubbish as they could in our designated area of coastline. We were also “joined” by our Cairns contingent who participated in their own clean-up at the same time, as well as our holidaying team member Trish and her husband Bob, who took time out of their leave to pitch in as well.
We were able to utilise the Clean Swell App which let us log each and every piece of rubbish and plastic collected, including the type and weight. This data is then sent to a central database which will help to give a more accurate idea of coastal pollution around the world.
The results were eye-opening. From ancient plastic bottles to hundreds of bean bag beans lodged under shrubs, it was a stark reminder that plastic lasts a lifetime.
We are well aware that this initiative was just a tiny drop in the ocean of work that needs to be done to remove the damage caused by humans. But we are also energised to do our bit to reduce our plastic use and find sustainable alternatives wherever possible, so we can lead the change that is required and move towards a future with far less plastic, and cleaner oceans.
