Trash Bash Beach Clean-up at Mouile Point, organised by Two Oceans Aquarium, raises awareness of the dangers of plastics pollution. You are invited to participate on 1 April – be a volunteer and not a fool!
The Two Oceans Aquarium and the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation invite all Capetonians to join them on their second Trash Bash clean-up of the year on 1 April 2023. This year they will be focusing on building our beach cleanup community on the doorstep of the Two Oceans Aquarium at Mouille Point beach. Help them build on the momentum of plastics collection, community building and awareness raising from a successful first Trash Bash which took place on 11 February 2023.
Win
Stand a chance to win a prize by guessing the total weight of the trash collected on the day. The Aquarium is offering the three closest estimates a lovely Consol Glass reusable #IChanged2050 bottle, a Two Oceans Aquarium reusable shopping bag as prizes, and two complimentary Two Oceans Aquarium tickets per top three teams.
What is Trash Bash?
The Two Oceans Aquarium Trash Bash aims to provide more opportunities for people who are enthusiastic, to take part in beach cleanups around Cape Town on a regular basis. Since 2018, the Aquarium’s Trash Bash campaign has visited many of Cape Town’s beaches and has had thousands of volunteers take part in the cleanup, removing litter from the beach and recording the items found. Trash Bash uses the Dirty Dozen methodology which focuses on 12 items that are often found littering our cities beaches. These collected items, such as plastic bags, bottles, straws and sweet wrappers, are recorded for the purpose of providing data used in a scientific study on causes and impacts of plastics in the ocean.
At the Trash Bash events, participants are divided into working teams where one person is assigned the role of scribe (using the downloaded app on their phone) recording all of the items that are collected, while the other members of the team are responsible for picking up and identifying the trash.
Why should we clean the beach?
It is estimated that by 2050 there will be more plastic, by weight, than fish in the ocean. Our world ocean is in serious condition, facing a crisis caused by negative human impact. It desperately needs us humans to turn the tide on plastic and other pollution severely damaging the marine environment. The ingestion of plastics and entanglements in ropes, box ties and fishing nets by marine animals show clear signs of this dire situation.
A staggering number of various sea animals die each year from either ingesting plastic or becoming entangled in plastic debris. Studies have shown that millions of seabirds have ingested plastic, plastic is found in virtually every turtle that is rescued and rehabilitated by the Two Oceans Aquarium Turtle Conservation, and the Marine Wildlife Management Programme rescues seals, sunfish and other marine animals from entanglements on a regular basis.
Unlike organic materials, plastic does not break down into its natural components. Through exposure to the elements (sun, wind and water), it breaks up into smaller pieces called microplastic. Even when a beach seems completely devoid of litter, taking a closer look, one is very likely to find these tiny bits of plastic throughout the sand. These microplastics end up in the marine environment where they are mistaken for food and consumed by animals as small as microscopic plankton. This has a direct impact on humans, as through our consumption of marine animals these microplastics show up on our plates and into our bodies.
“Beach cleanups are vital as they prevent plastic and other trash from being deposited into the ocean and beyond our shores.
Trash Bash, Hout Bay, World Ocean Day
Cleaning a beach is one of many easy and fun ways of contributing to our responsibility for ensuring a healthy natural environment, while providing data for scientific studies. It is also an opportunity to connect with nature,” said Helen Lockhart, Conservation & Sustainability Manager for the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Trash Bash – A community initiative on the Aquarium’s doorstep
The Two Oceans Aquarium Trash Bashes not only aim to look after the environment, but also value the opportunity for community building and connection. “The Aquarium sees the invaluable importance of those who consider themselves part of the family and community. Spending time outside and with like-minded people, creates a sense of responsibility for the environment and brings people together to care for areas within their communities. What better place to bring an Aquarium community together than on its doorstep at Mouille Point Beach!” said Lockhart.
Come and join the Aquarium team in connecting, helping the environment, and creating awareness around plastic pollution in our marine environment.
WHAT: Trash Bash – Two Oceans Aquarium
WHERE: Mouille Point Beach, Beach Road, Mouille Point, Cappe Town 8005
WHEN: Saturday 01 April 2023 Time: 09h00 to 11h00
INFO: Visit or Facebook
WHAT: TO BRING: Sunblock, a hat, water (in a reusable bottle), reusable gloves (like the ones you’d use for gardening or doing dishes), and a smile.
INSTALL: Marine Debris Tracker app (iOS | Android) to log the litter you collect (join The Beach Co-op’s list)
Preventing plastic pollution on our beaches
A first defense against plastic pollution in our oceans is to make more conscious decisions around our everyday plastic use. Some easy to implement suggestions are to buy fresh rather than prepacked fruit and vegetables, to pass on the balloons on your up-coming birthday party and opt for alternatives such as flags or bunting, refuse a straw for your drink or a lid for your takeaway coffee, and finally say no to single-use plastic bags.
See Cape Town Green COASTAL Map
See also Cape Town Green Map
