Gisborne beach clean-up produces 1.3 tonnes of rubbish

Gisborne Waste Management branch manager Andrew Bryant and Charlotte Phelps, GDC waste minimisation lead, with some of the junk picked up at Sunday’s beach clean-up. Picture by Gillian Cowperwthaite

More than 100 people picked up 1.3 tonnes of rubbish from the sand dunes and beach along the Gisborne beachfront on Sunday morning.

The community clean-up alongside Centennial Marine Drive was organised by Waste Management and Gisborne District Council.

Waste Management provided skip bins and gloves, and rubbish bags were given out to everyone who went along. The skips were placed along Centennial Marine Drive as far south as the river mouth. This meant participants could cover a vast area of beach and dunes, where household rubbish is often illegally dumped.

Council waste minimisation lead Charlotte Phelps said it was an awesome turnout.

“Although there are people who continue to dump their rubbish on our beach and dunes, it was awesome to see the clean-up showed there are far more who  take pride in our beaches. People of all ages came together to clean our beaches and there was a real sense of community, hope and positivity down there on Sunday. Thank you to everyone who came along to lend a hand.”

Items picked picked up from the dunes and beach included car bodies, tyres, bikes, prams, a vacuum cleaner and,  ironically, a full sheet of rubbish stickers. More general rubbish included empty bottles and cans, polystyrene pieces and plastic containers and lids.

Ms Phelps said it was disappointing that a lot of stuff picked up was recycling that could have been dropped off, at no charge, at Waste Management on Innes Street, or a Metal Co, which takes scrap metal only and is on the corner of Banks Street and Solander Street.

Despite disappointment about the continued dumping of rubbish, the vibe among the participants was positive with a desire to help keep the beach clean.  They also saw a need to keep educating people about disposing of rubbish in the correct and most sustainable way.

“Even though my heart bleeds at the state of our beaches, if we don’t do it, no one will,” said Megan Hansen-Knarhoi. “Every bit makes a difference. The future is up to all of us, not just our children. We all need to get involved before it is too late  — right now!”

At the close of the day a barbecue was provided for the participants with the bread donated by Walter Findlay and discounted sausages by the Village Butcher.

Ms Phelps said there was a strong desire to have regular clean-ups, which the council could facilitate.