The last few weeks I have been blogging a lot about the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup. This past Sunday “I put my money where my mouth is”, so to speak. Along with several awesome volunteers I took on the task of cleaning a local shoreline along the Gondola Point Beach.
The funny thing is, at first glance the beach appeared quite pristine, however, once we started looking near the fringes of the sand we discovered quite a few unsavoury items.
Here is the lengthy list from our fairly small beach:
Paper bags 1 Plastic bags 13 Plastic bottles 5 Glass bottles 4 Beverage cans 17 Caps, lids 20 Clothing, shoes 5 Plastic cutlery 7 Food wrappers 51 Shotgun shells 19 Straws, stirrers 13 Toys 4 Bait containers 1 Bleach bottles 1 Oil/Lube bottles 1 Rope 2 Cigarettes 125 Building materials 3 Condoms 2 Broken glass 115 Metal legs 2 Lg. misc. items 4It was actually quite shocking to see the amount of garbage and debris we collected from one small beach. If you would like to become involved it a clean up, it’s not too late to participate, the “official” clean up continues until September 23, 2012. Visit http://shorelinecleanup.ca/ for more information.
I would be very remiss if I neglected to say a special thank you to all the people who helped make this clean up a success!
First of all, the beach cleanup volunteers:
Pat B., Alex D., Sharon M., Mary Ann M., Shannon P., Karen P., Becky S., Paige S., Kelly S., Kathy W., and the behind the scenes crew of Randy P. and Brian P. *{Congratulations to Alex D. who won a 1o pack of beautiful greeting cards donated by Oak Lawn Images}
Matt Barnett – the manager of our local Atlantic Superstore who donated hot dogs, hamburgers, pop, chips, water, condiments, paper plates and a beautiful “Shoreline Clean up” cake. Thanks to the generosity of Matt and the Superstore, the active participants and those who worked “behind the scenes” were able to enjoy a post clean up barbecue!
Barry Brown from the town of Quispamsis who supplied us with garbage bags, allowed us beach access and removed and properly disposed of all the items we found.
Oak Lawn Images who donated a prize for the most “unusual” item. {We decided the most unusual item was a graduation picture of a lovely girl. On the back she had written, “….and I have always thought of you as a brother”. The photo was all crumpled and tossed into the bushes, we felt there may be quite a story behind that photo!}
Thanks again everyone…and I am already thinking about next years clean up!!
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Wow, I can’t believe how much stuff, especially the cigarettes. Nothing bugs me more than all the cigarette butts you see littered everywhere. I HATE when I find them on our property from people littering…especially since we don’t smoke. That’s so weird about the photo! There definitely must have been a story behind that!
Brandi, we were all quite taken with our imagined story of unrequited love !! It’s just so wrong to litter, especially in this day when everyone knows better.
what an awesome way to volunteer! It is amazing what people will just drop on the ground
Ashley, I could hardly believe that people would just toss their garbage into the grass, such blatant disrespect.
I, too was surprised by how much was collected, considering I initially though the beach was … as you said..pristine!
An afternoon well spent and a learning experience for the younger volunteers!
It was certainly a “feel good” afternoon Pat!
Great initiative you guys have going. We do local clean ups here too. Sadly, it’s the tourists that seem to leave behind their garbage where we are :( The locals try to preserve the beauty of the island. Incredible how many cigarette butts you guys found!
Christine, we were quite shocked! What a shame the tourists don’t respect your island, that makes me so upset that people would in essence be a guest in your home and then treat that environment with such disrespect :(
What a great thing to do! Looks like a beautiful shoreline.
We had a lot of fun Cheryl and you’re right, the shoreline is very beautiful!
Amazing view, the more I learn about Canada the more I want to visit! :) Danica Martin
Danica, you will have to come to Canada for a visit…it really is quite beautiful.