
Photographer: Romano Fortuin for LCA Spark Talks
The Plastic Free July campaign originated in Western Australia in 2011 and has grown from a very small number of participants to millions of people acting in more than 170 countries. The Plastic Free Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation, manages the campaign on an international level. Their vision is to create a world without plastic waste by encouraging people to be more aware of their plastic use and by working on solutions with communities around the world.

The Beach Co-op uses beach cleanups and its Dirty Dozen methodology as a way to educate and activate people in becoming citizen scientists. We have facilitated more than 70 cleanups in the last two years. The data that you log on the top 12 most commonly found items on our beaches (except cigarette butts and polystyrene bits) during cleanups helps us engage on the issue with the industry. It will also change the way that you view and use plastics.

The Beach Co-op, Twyg and WWF South Africa have set a #PlasticFreeMzansi challenge for July 2019. This Plastic Free July we want you to give up three items that are polluting our beaches: earbud sticks, chip packets and plastic bottles. We kicked off the month with a cleanup on the 29th June; 49 people arrived on a very cold winters day and collected 10 full bags weighing 74.5 kilograms. Our top three Dirty Dozen items for this cleanup were:

There is so much happening in South Africa this month and we wanted to share all the events we are aware of with you – get out there and help make a difference!
Upcoming Events

3 July (weather dependant)
The Beach Co-op
Event: New Moon Cleanup
Venue: Surfers Corner, Muizenberg
Time: 9AM
3 July
PETCO is hosting an event – What on Earth is going on? at Doubletree By Hilton,Cape Town. They’’ll bust recycling myths with Recycle 1st. Cyril Naicker will talk about adopting sustainable shopping habits. The Beach Co-op will give us a look into their efforts and we’ll learn about how academia is crucial to reducing waste. Networking, snacks and drinks will follow. Bookings, tickets and the full programme can be found here.
Time: 5:30PM to 7:30PM
5 July
Cape Town Beach Cleanup
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Gordons Bay/Strand
Time: 2PM
6 July
The Beach Co-op & Faithful to Nature
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Kommetjie, Cape Town
Time: 9AM
Cape Town Beach Cleanup
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Cape Town Beach Cleanups
12 July
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Muizenberg: 2PM
Kalk Bay Harbour: 2PM
Kommetjie: 2PM
13 July
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Hout Bay: 2PM
Camps Bay: 2PM
Sea Point: 2PM
14 July
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Strand
Time: 9AM
Notes: Meet just past the Strand Public Pool
17 July
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Dolphin Beach
Time: 2PM
18 July (Mandela Day)
Event: Twitter Chat #PlasticFreeMzansi
Venue: Twitter
Time: 12pm-2pm
Cape Town Beach Cleanup
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Milnerton Lighthouse: 9AM
Paarden Island: 12PM
Sunset Beach: 3PM
Event: Night Beach Walk
Venue: Blouberg Strand
Time: 7PM
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: To be confirmed
Time 8AM
19 July
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Tableview, Beachfront
Time: 2PM
20 July
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Strandfontein, Cape Town
Time: 9AM
Event: Plastic Free July Beach Cleanup
Venue: Country Club Beach (Opposite The Bike & Bean)
Time: 9AM
WESSA Algoa Bay Branch
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue Notes: Meet at the beacon on Marine Drive close to the intersection with Admiralty Way.
Time: 09:30AM
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: 3rde Steen, Blouberg
Time: 10AM
26 July
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Melkbos 1st Ave
Time: 2PM
27 July
Two Oceans Aquarium & The Beach Co-op
Event: Trash Bash Beach Cleanup
Venue: Mouille Point
Time: 9AM
Oceano Reddentes & #Seathebiggerpicture
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue: Millers Point
Time: 9AM
Event: Beach Cleanup
Venue Notes: Melkbos NSRI to Koeberg
Time: 10AM
30 July
Event: From Home To Ocean (a forum theatre event)
Venue: Two Oceans Aquarium
Time: 6:30PM
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