Queenstown Bay mess disappoints clean-up crew

Cleaning up Queenstown's waterfront on Saturday were (from left) co-ordinator Rob Dickinson and Sea Shepherd members Katharina Rehberg, of Queenstown, Carolyn "Coconut'' McFarland, of Wanaka and Francesco Fabbri, of Queenstown. Photo / Louise Scott

Bottle tops, cigarette butts, straws, used condoms and four dead ducklings were just some of the items collected during a beach clean-up at Queenstown Bay on Sunday.

The clean-up, organised by Sea Shepherd and supported by Queenstown Lakes District Council, is hosted monthly by the local group.

Area co-ordinator Rob Dickinson, told the Otago Daily Times it was disappointing so much waste was being discarded on the beach.

He said it was the first time they had found anything dead.

About 20 volunteers took part in the two-hour event.

Mr Dickinson described plastic spoons and cigarette butts as the "biggest culprits.''

He urged locals and visitors to be more mindful when discarding waste.

"I don't understand the mindset of throwing a butt on the ground - it is the same as chucking a plastic bag on the floor.

"People need to realise it can take up to 100 years for them to disintegrate. Birds also mistake ciggies for food.''

The next beach clean-up will be held on December 17.