In an alarming discovery during a routine beach clean-up at the Milnerton Lagoon, environmental volunteers stumbled upon a disturbing sight: a staggering 100 discarded nappies strewn across the shoreline last week.
Zoë Prinsloo from Save A Fishie, who organised the clean-up, says this shocking find underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and action regarding the proper disposal of waste, particularly in coastal areas where marine life and ecosystems face mounting threats from pollution.
Even the usual finds (bottle caps, plastic waste and broken glass on the sand) did not compare to the 100 nappies found on the beach.
“So we took a walk all the way to the pier to the left of Lagoon Beach Hotel and wow, what a mess! Nappies stood out, around 100. Can’t even begin to list items. Name it and we probably picked it up. Bags, shoes, lighters, cigarette butts, condoms, bottles, plastic containers, straws, lollipop and earbud sticks, the list is endless,” she says.
The volunteers managed to pick up 361 kg of waste.
Call to be responsible
Prinsloo called on all major companies manufacturing nappies products (Pampers, Huggies and Cherubs) to step up, help out and sponsor a beach clean-up.
She says a resident asked via social media why she feels companies like Pampers and Huggies should step up and sponsor a clean-up.
She asked: “Apologies if I seem ignorant, but how are the manufacturers of these products to blame or be held accountable for the actions of the people who purchase, use and dispose of them in such a manner?”
Prinsloo then replied: “Great question! Firstly, they are responsible for the production and distribution of these items, so they should also be responsible for their proper disposal. Secondly, littered products can harm marine life and damage the ecosystem of the beach.
“By holding manufacturers accountable, they will be incentivised to create more sustainable and eco-friendly products.
“Additionally, it will help raise awareness about the impact of littering on beaches and encourage consumers to make more conscious choices. Ultimately, manufacturers have a duty to take responsibility for the environmental impact of their products.”
Prinsloo also thanked all the volunteers and sponsors for joining the clean-up.
Coast to coast
Save a Fishie is also well-known for their most ambitious Coastal Beach Clean-up Campaign.
Last year Prinsloo and the team at Save a Fishie completed their project of cleaning up over 100 beaches along our South African coastline.
Despite this Coast to Coast being a dream of Prinsloo’s for some time, this project, like many others, cannot be a reality without the support of like-minded people and corporates and their commitments to our planet through their Corporate Social Responsibility campaigns, she says.
Prinsloo left on Monday for Switzerland where she will represent Girl Guides South Africa at the Helen Storrow Seminar.
