It’s International Coastal Clean-Up Day on Saturday September 15, with various groups arranging clean-ups not only in Port Elizabeth but around the world.
On this date, thousands of tons of waste are removed in a single day by tens of thousands of volunteers globally.
“Last year, in Port Elizabeth, we removed more than 12 tons around our coastline,” said Tim and Isobel Douglas-Jones, who are among those who regularly go on clean-ups.
Here is the list of clean-ups organised in and around Port Elizabeth in 2018, with all most welcome to join.
“This year we will also collect data on the Dirty Dozen, the 12 items most found on clean-ups, to compare between beaches. If anyone is interested to participate in the study, please contact me,” said Tim. “Together we can make a huge difference.”
Volunteers from the Sustainable Seas Trust and Nelson Mandela University Green Campus Initiative will be there to assist. The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and Plastics SA will provide bags for most of the clean-ups.

Colchester: Organised by the local community. Contact: Dennis Spicer, 082-937-7288
Bluewater Bay: Organised by the Zwartkops Conservancy. Meet at 9.30am at the BWB swimming beach, at the bottom of Weinronk Way. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Jenny Rump, 082-853-0700
Motherwell storm water canal: Organised by the Zwartkops Conservancy. Meet at 9.30am at Tyinira St in Motherwell, just off the M17. Bags and gloves provided. Contact: Luthando Gxowa, 083-228-7325 or Jenny Rump, 082-853-0700
Swartkops River by kayak: Organised by Schotia Safaris. See details on Schotia's Facebook page 
Baakens Valley: Organised by Valley Crag. Meet at 9.30am at Valley Crag Climbing Gym. See details on Valley Crag's Facebook page  
Hobie Beach: Organised by ProDive. Meet at 12.30pm by the pier. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Linda, 079-352-0965
Cape Recife: Organised jointly by Sanccob and Wessa. Meet at 9.30am at Sanccob. Bags provided. Contact: Luc Hosten, 072-265-4073
Schoenies: Organised by the Port Elizabeth Permaculture Group. Meet at 9.30am in front of the Sacramento restaurant. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Krag Lohry, 083-290-0414
Maitlands beach: Organised by Raggy Charters. Meet at 9.30am at the car park. Bags provided but bring gloves. Contact: Lloyd Edwards, 084-552-2277
Blue Horizon Bay: Organised by the local community. Contact: johann@sapicasso.co.za
Seaview, Beachview shoreline: Meet at the bus stop/parking opposite the old Seaview Hotel. 9.30am. Bags and gloves will be supplied.
Brighton Beach Community Clean-Up: Organised by The Waste Trade Company and Project Nelson Mandela Bay from 9am to noon. There is also a surfing demonstration...