GARBAGE is one of the biggest problems threatening our oceans and waterways.

The ocean is the planet’s life support system, providing us with the food, water, and oxygen we need to survive. It also drives our climate. Litter along the coast impacts both human and marine life. Sharp items can cut beachgoers, and batteries, car parts and chemical drums may leak toxic compounds, while even the mightiest whale can drown when entangled in old rope or fishing nets, and many fish, birds and animals eat plastics which they mistake for food. This results in these animals choking and slowly starving since they are unable to digest plastics but their stomachs seem full. Ocean trash affects coastal economies as well by reducing tourist visits and causing enormous clean-up bills.
Ocean Conservancy, a non-profit organisation based in Washington D.C., USA, coordinates the International Coastal Clean-up in a bid to protect the ocean and its wildlife.

International Coastal Clean-up: What’s it all about?
All year long, organisations and individuals across the globe take part in Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean-up to remove trash and debris from the world’s beaches and waterways, identify the sources of that debris, and change the behaviours that allow it to reach the ocean in the first place.
It all culminates on the third Saturday in September each year when hundreds of thousands of volunteers from countries all over the world spend a day picking up everything from cigarette butts and food wrappers to lost fishing nets and major appliances. Because trash travels to the ocean by way of drains and waterways, they don’t just work along ocean beaches; these dedicated individuals trudge through mud and sand along lakes, streams, and rivers, too, often working far inland. Many walk, while others set out on boats. Some even dive to seek trash below the water’s surface.
This year will mark the 27th year that volunteers participate in Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup in a bid to make our ocean and waterways cleaner by collecting data that shows the extent of this problem. If you can think of it, volunteers have found it on shorelines and waterways – from cigarette butts and plastic bags, to waste from industry and abandoned fishing gear. Some of the weirdest items that have been found include an entire toilet set, wedding dresses, tuxedoes,a dining room table and even fireworks debris. Here’s a look at the top 10 items found:

The main aims of the International Coastal Clean-up are:
•    To remove trash from the shorelines, waterways, and beaches of the world’s lakes, rivers, and oceans.
•    To educate people on the issue of marine litter, and
•    To collect valuable information on the amount and types of debris and to use this information to create positive changes at all levels, from the individual to the international, to reduce marine litter and enhance marine conservation.

Local action, global change
The International Coastal Clean-up all began with one woman walking along the beach of South Padre Island, Texas. Appalled at the amount of trash she saw, Linda Maraniss immediately felt compelled to do something about it. Teaming up with like-minded people, she organised a beach clean-up. In just two hours, 2,800 Texans had picked up 124 tons of trash along 122 miles of coastline. Since 1986, that effort has extended across the globe, and has grown into a much valued experience that nearly half-a-million people look forward to with more joining each year.

Importance of data collection
Volunteers who participate in clean-ups around the world do not only pick up trash, they record every item they find on standardised data cards. Ocean Conservancy compiles and analyzes the data each year, and publishes an item-by-item, location-by-location snapshot of marine debris in an annual report. By understanding what is out there, we can work together on solutions. When elected officials know what comprises marine litter, they can make informed policy decisions that will help to fight this problem. Community leaders are able to more effectively implement recycling and other waste reduction programmes, e.g., in Nicaragua, the municipal governments have increased the number of garbage receptacles on the beaches and collect them with greater frequency due to the increased awareness that comes from the clean-up there. Even corporations will see the need for improved technology and reduced packaging, e.g. in 2009, the Coca-Cola Company launched the first-ever 100 percent recyclable PET plastic beverage bottle made partially from plants. These bottles are easily recyclable which means less ends up along our coastline. More importantly, individuals would be inspired to properly dispose of their trash to keep it out of the ocean.
You can organise your own clean-up on this day to aid in the fight against marine litter. People of all ages, from any walk of life, can participate: friends, families, neighbours,and youth groups can all come out to support this global event.
Log on to http://www.oceanconservancy.org/ to find out how you can be involved in this activity.

You can share your ideas and questions by sending letters to: “Our Earth, Our Environment”, C/O EIT Division, Environmental Protection Agency, Ganges Street, Sophia, GEORGETOWN or email us at eit.epaguyana@gmail.com.