This post is written for the “Save the Ocean” group-writing project.

Beach cleanup is the most popular way to protect the marine environment and recreational sites. The amount and types of trash found reveal the impact of our consume-and-discard culture. The most common trash items found are cigarette butts and filters, food wrappers and containers, caps and lids, plastic bags and bottles, glass bottles, plastic eating utensils, cans, straws and tobacco packaging. And among items that are particularly dangerous to marine wildlife are balloons, plastic bags, discarded fishing lines and nets, plastic rope, fish traps and syringes.

Image credit: Pelf Nyok.

I have personally participated in numerous beach cleanups over the years, all of which were carried out in conjunction with the annual Clean Up The World weekend. The first beach cleanup was the most thorough one because we had to separate all the items that were collected on the beaches of Redang Island, as well as those collected in the village. Then we had to count each item, and finally weigh them before bringing them out to the mainland to be disposed of.

So if you’d like to participate in a beach cleanup, here are things you want to remember:

• Make sure you follow the instructions of the beach captain (or leader).
• Wear gloves, closed-toed shoes, sunblock, long-sleeved shirt and a hat/cap.
• Pick up even small items of trash which animals often mistake for food.
• Do not pick up dead or injured animals. Contact your leader.
• Pickup syringes, needles, sharp objects, weapons or items containing human blood of fluids with great care.
• Leave natural items such as kelp, driftwood and shell fragments undisturbed.
• Fill out the data sheets accurately.
• Consider becoming a sponsor or getting your company, community group or place of worship to sponsor a local beach cleanup (sponsors provide gloves, plastic bags, etc.).

Read also:

• 10 things you can do to help prevent marine debris
• Be a marine sanctuary volunteer

January 2008 is “Save the Ocean” month here at The Giving Hands. Click here for more information on how you too, can save our oceans, and remember to subscribe to The Giving Hands for your daily updates!