Tourism Noosa, through its Plastic Free Noosa program, last week hosted a Plastic Free July beach clean-up at Noosa Woods, bringing together volunteers to help protect Noosa’s iconic natural environment.
In under two hours, just 12 volunteers collected a staggering 28.2kg of rubbish, underlining both the commitment of the community and the continued challenge of litter in this popular spot.
Jen Sharpe, Plastic Free Noosa Program Coordinator said the data from the day was both eye-opening and concerning.
“Every clean-up tells a story, and while it’s always encouraging to see locals and visitors roll up their sleeves, it’s disappointing to see how much litter there is,” said Ms Sharpe. “Among the items we collected were 37 glass bottles, 45 aluminium cans, 28 takeaway containers, and even more surprising finds like drug paraphernalia and baby wipes.”
Other items collected included 32 bottle tops, 30 items of clothing and 4.5kg of soft plastics such as food wrappers, all recorded for the Tangaroa Blue Australian Marine Debris Initiative (AMDI) database. This data is dedicated to understanding the types and amounts of marine debris and litter that is impacting our environment. Once submitted it can be used to help guide research and policies that prevent these debris and work towards source reduction.
“Events like these remind us that everyone can make a difference, whether it’s by joining a clean-up or simply picking up litter when you see it,” Ms Sharpe said.
Join the Movement
Tourism Noosa encourages locals, visitors and businesses to get involved in keeping Noosa beautiful. Becoming a Waste Warrior, spreading the message to guests and customers, or making small changes in daily habits all contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Learn more about the Plastic Free Noosa program: visitnoosa.com.au/plastic-free-noosa
