Recently it’s like my newsfeed is full of beach cleanup corporate events – and kudos to them. A heck of a lot more useful than Friday beers, as team building activities go. I’m currently rallying the gang to do something similar before the weather turns, because this can be my one small way of getting a few green points in. Should you be inspired, here’s how to make it work.
Celebrate your success and share your impact
I’m starting with the best one first. After the clean-up, gather you friends to celebrate your collective effort. You can take group photos, weigh the amount of waste collected, and share the love on social media. This will encourage others to join future clean-ups and raise awareness about protecting our beaches from pollution.
Form a team of passionate volunteers
This doesn’t have to be a one-off thing. Gather a group of friends, family, or local volunteers who share your enthusiasm for keeping beaches clean. The more people you have, the larger the area you can cover, and the stronger the likelihood of a repeat performance.
Choose the right location and time
Picking the right beach and the best time for your clean-up is essential. Check weather forecasts to avoid the bad conditions that have led to so many swimmers and divers getting stranded in the past weeks. Popular beaches like Għadira tend to have more litter but also higher visibility, which can help raise awareness. Choose a day when the beach is less crowded; weekends remain busy even in autumn.
Pool for essential supplies
Make sure you’re all equipped with reusable gloves, litter pickers, and sturdy bags to collect waste. Avoid using single-use plastic bags because, well, that’s hardly a good look is it? You should also think of sunscreen, water, and snacks.
Sort and recycle the waste collected
A key part of any successful beach clean-up is making sure the waste collected is properly sorted and recycled. Set up areas where you can separate recyclables from general rubbish. This reduces landfill waste and lands you a gold star, rather than a silver one.
