“Trash that is dropped on the streets will end up in the marine environment. In order for us to “solve the problem” of plastics in the ocean, we first have to investigate what sort of trash is washing up on the beaches, how much is it and where it is coming from. With this information we are better equipped to know how best to reduce this chronic problem.”, Prof. Wayne Phillips (Mahidol University) initiator of the “Koh Sak Project”
CSH Thailand took action and “cleaned-up”! On Saturday the 2nd of September, 7 brave beach-cleaners travelled to Koh Sak to investigate on the plastic pollution and its consequences in the Gulf of Thailand. The team was guided by Prof. Phillips and Madeleine Recknagel (known for her Initiative “The Sustainable Self”). The beach-clean-up was organized as one of the follow up activities the “Do something drastic, cut the plastic!” campaign.
Within 2 hours the trash was collected from the 100 m beach stretch on the Southern part of the island. This part is not accessible for tourists and everything laying on the beach comes actually from the ocean. The evaluation was alarming: 251 plastic bottles were found on the small beach stretch which was cleaned already two weeks before. A number that was quite astonishing for all participants.
The team will continue to support the project in further beach-clean-ups and is planning to contribute to the Clean-Up the World Weekend 2017 through participation in the “Clean-Up Bangkok River” Event.
Stay green, stay plastic-free!