Welcome back to the 5th installation of our plastic waste series. This week we will be discussing proactive ways you can get out in nature and help the environment at the same time.
One of the major ways we do that at FBR is trail and beach cleanups, which we have been conducting as part of our Trash Talks program. While beach cleanups may seem like a very simple action, and it is, it also can make a real difference in an ecosystem. Cleanups and removal of litter from beaches is important for several reasons:
- Environmental Protection: Litter on beaches can harm wildlife, damage ecosystems, and pollute waterways. Removing litter helps to protect the environment and maintain a healthy balance of marine life.
- Aesthetics: Litter on beaches can detract from their natural beauty, making them less enjoyable for visitors and residents alike.
- Health and Safety: Litter on beaches can pose health hazards to people, animals, and the environment. For example, discarded fishing line can entangle wildlife, and discarded syringes can pose a serious health risk to beachgoers.
- Economic Benefits: Clean beaches can attract tourists, providing an economic boost to local communities.
By conducting beach cleanups and removing litter, communities can help protect the environment, promote public health and safety, and boost local economies. It’s a simple yet effective way for individuals and groups to make a positive impact on their community and the world.
Organizing a trip with your friends to clean up a beach might be a bit of an undertaking, so if you are looking for something easier that you can do solo is plogging. Plogging is a unique hobby that combines physical activity with environmental activism. It involves going for a walk or run while picking up litter along the way; the term is a combination of plastic and jogging. Participants collect trash they find in parks, along streets, or on beaches, and dispose of it properly. Picking up just a couple of pieces of garbage on your daily walk can do wonders for keeping your neighbourhood or trail system clean and beautiful. On top of helping the environment plogging can boost your workout. The action of bending down to retrieve the garbage and standing several times over the course of a walk will strengthen your legs and core, while burning a few extra calories.
Plogging has become popular in recent years as a way for individuals to make a positive impact on the environment. It’s a simple and easy way to clean up your community and help preserve the beauty of nature. Additionally, plogging is a great way to stay active and get exercise, as participants are walking or running while picking up trash.
In summary, plogging is a hobby that benefits both the environment and personal health. Beach cleanups, plogging or anything else you do to remove garbage from the environment can be a fun and easy way to make a positive impact on your community and help preserve the beauty of nature. While it would be best to keep garbage from getting into the environment, that is not always possible, so there will always need to be those willing to cleanup the mess.
