Coast KZN

There is a very tight window of opportunity to remove as much rubbish and debris from the Durban beaches as possible before the city is hit with rain showers once again.  The recent damaging rains over most of KZN have resulted in the Umngeni and other rivers bringing down both organic and inorganic debris which has landed up on the beaches.

Although all the plastic pollution on the beaches is of concern, the most helpful activity residents can participate in is to take part in a local clean-up operation.

According to the South African Association for Marine Biology Research (SAAMBR) spokesperson Ann Kunz, “The eThekwini Municipality is doing sterling work trying to clean the beaches, as are members of NGO’s,  locals and visitors,  but there is still so much to be done.”

Mountains of rubbish have already been collected. Photo: Submitted

Kunz said that by working together to remove most of the washed up plastic bottles, the municipality can then begin to work on other items of inorganic debris.

“ Plastic bottles are recyclable and light, making them easy to collect. We are expecting more rains over the weekend and every bottle removed before then will be of tremendous help,” said Kunz.

“If you are heading to the beach, please take some refuse bags and gloves with you and collect as many cooldrink bottles as you can carry – every bottle removed helps,” she said.

According to Kunz, Durban beaches are open to any residents willing to pitch in, “Carry your bags of bottles off the beach, knot them and take them to your nearest recycling station or place them on the promenade near refuse bins,” said Kunz.

The Durban Litterboom Project is also hosting cleanups at Durban beaches today from 09:00 – 15:00 at the following locations:

uMdloti – Launch site.

Umhlanga – Main beach.

Umngeni – Blue Lagoon.

According to The Litterboom Project’s Facebook page, bags will be available and resident should bring along gloves, closed shoes and water.