Locals encouraged to join clean up initiative

GREATER Geelong residents are being encouraged to join the movement in removing litter one plastic wrapper or coffee cup at a time at neighborhood beaches, parks and streets.

The BeachPatrol Australia volunteer group in Geelong are hoping to attract more volunteers this autumn to assist with the war against rubbish continuing to swamp local shores.

BeachPatrol Australia and Love Our Street volunteers (their inland rubbish partners) are presently logging an average of 120 cleans up per month and have expressed that many hands can make lighter work for their committed volunteers in the region.

According to Geelong’s BeachPatrol and Love Our Street member Wes Prosser its incredibly simple to sign up to join the movement of change.

“Our organisation needs more volunteers and new group leaders to grow the vital work we are doing all year round into more areas,” Mr Prosser said.

“We are on a clear mission to not only pick up litter and record it, but also to re-educate the community on the use and abuse of plastic.”

According to BeachPatrol president Dr Ross Headifen, after more than nine years of recording data for BeachPatrol and Love Our Street groups, staggering statistics were reiterating the fantastic work being done by the group.

“We have collected nearly 900,000 pieces of plastic, with tens of 1000’s of drink bottles, food wrappers and coffee cups,” Dr Headifen said.

We are coming together to not only tidy our suburbs but to reinforce our position in highlighting the need to reduce the number of single-use plastic items being used and the associated amount of litter being discarded.

“We should be filled with pride for our suburbs, beaches and streets, but it is sometimes a challenge if our open areas are tainted with litter.

“Let’s change this now!”

To join the nearest BeachPatrol or Love Your Streets group, head to beachpatrol.com.au