Aug 24, 2021

Here is a good public relations and social media opportunity for marine businesses across Canada.

National Beach Day (August 30) is just around the corner, and there is no better time to organize a beach cleanup, so we can all leave the beaches and lakes the same way we found them at the beginning of the summer.

As part of its “Little Bits, Big Problem” campaign, the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup (GLPC) is encouraging beach-goers to be mindful of the waste they bring to Ontario’s beaches and to maintain clean practices while enjoying the water. Addressing a growing issue for the Great Lakes, the program aims to minimize the number of plastics and microplastics infiltrating the lakes and waterways.

To organize a successful beach cleanup, GLPC is offering a few tricks to keep in mind when heading down for a day to collect garbage at the beach:

• Elect an on-site coordinator – Many hands make light work, but only if they know what they’re doing. Having a designated coordinator to organize, answer questions and direct people to the right areas will make sure your cleanup is a breeze.

• Bring the appropriate gear – Make sure you have all the right supplies for picking up trash – garbage bags, gloves, trash grabbers, protective gear (including masks and other COVID-19 precautions). Bring extras so everyone can participate and safely pick up trash.

• Have a disposal plan – If you are successful and pick up bags full of trash, one garbage bin won’t be enough to fit everything. Know where local dump sites are in your area and what can be disposed of at different dump sites.

• Keep recyclables separate – Different types of waste require different disposal processes. If it can’t be sorted at your local facility, make sure to keep all plastic, glass and aluminum that you collect separate.

• Spread the word – Once you choose the right time and place, you need to make sure people will show up. Invite family and friends. Create an event on social media to spread the word far and wide. Make sure everyone is made aware of COVID protocols and follows them properly.

With some of the highest plastic concentrations found in the world, the Great Lakes need our attention. Plastic that collects on beaches and shorelines can easily drift or be blown into lakes. The efforts of beachgoers across Ontario will go a long way to help keep the Great Lakes and their waterways clean.

Connect with the GLPC team to discuss all the ways in which we can work together to keep our beaches clean and help restore our waters. Contact Livija Cygas, Coordinator, Bubblegum Canada, livija@bubblegumcanada.com .