It’s fair to say Sydney has wonderful beaches. I’ve travelled far and wide and yet most of my favourite beaches in the world are right here in Sydney Australia. This is due to the fact that they are, for the most part, incredibly clean. However, as with any area frequented by humans, these beaches are vulnerable to litter and pollution.
Thankfully, there are some incredible eco-warriors who are helping to keep our beaches clean and free from litter. And while we know the problem needs to be solved at the source – that is, ensuring people do not litter in the first place – beach clean-ups play a significant role in educating the community on how to protect our environment, while leading by example.
Want to get involved? Join one of the below communities who run regular beach cleanups:
Pittwater Eco Community Beach Clean-ups
Manly Cove | Saturdays 9am
Join the Pittwater Eco Community on Saturday’s at 9am for a free community beach clean-up at Manly Cove. They provide bags and gloves for those who wish to clean up on the beach and encourage participants to bring swimmers and goggles for a cleanup beneath the surface. Floating debris can be collected by SUP or kayak and their partners at Manly Kayak Centre will happily hire you one. Come dressed for the method of cleanup you prefer.
Due to Covid-19, they are strictly limited to a group size of 30 people. Please book in by clicking here.
Protect Our One Clean-ups
Eastern Suburbs | Check their Instagram for dates
Protect Our One is a not-for-profit association protecting and educating what is most sacred to us from mainstream consumerism and large environmentally negative impacting corporations. They host coastal, waterways, National Park, bush and beach clean-ups.
Seaside Scavenge Clean-ups
Various locations | Check their website for dates
Seaside Scavenge is a waterway cleanup and clothes swap event where litter becomes the currency to purchase pre-loved clothes, books and more. Each event hosts three local community groups and supports three businesses to take the plastic-free pledge along with five businesses to sponsor the event. They’re committed to working with local groups to spread the message of environmental protection and conscious consumerism.
Related Reading: A Guide to Sydney’s Sustainable & Ethical Eateries
Northern Beaches Clean-up Crew
Northern Beaches | Last Sunday of each month
The Northern Beaches Clean-up Crew meet on the last Sunday of every month to clean up a beach or lagoon on Sydney’s northern beaches. The crew are a growing Facebook community of individuals who clean up beaches and provide education about how plastic pollution impacts the environment and wildlife. Their Facebook page lists all upcoming clean-ups, while also listing ways we can reduce our single-use plastic footprint.
Operation Straw
Manly Cove / Check their Instagram for dates
Operation Straw is a clean-up initiative designed to clean up the plastic waste that makes its way to Manly Cove and its surrounds. The initiative turns snorkelling into “STRAWkling”. Participants, aka the “STRAWkle Squad”, gather on Saturdays for a fun-filled morning of cleaning the beautiful cove, collecting trash and then sorting it so it can be documented, and the information then used to campaign for stricter policies against plastic usage.
Responsible Runners Run & Clean-up
Bondi & Eastern Suburbs | Check their Facebook group for dates
Responsible Runners started in 2012 with a group of concerned citizens who integrated running and walking with weekly beach cleanups to reduce marine debris, build stronger communities and raise awareness about the health and environmental dangers of single-use disposable waste, particularly plastic, to effect positive behavioural change.
Join the local Bondi group for occasional run and cleanups, or run and collect events or create your own one and share it in this facebook group.
You can also follow Waverley Council for event updates.
SeeBees
Various locations | Check their Instagram for dates
SeeBees is a Sydney-based community of free-divers, snorkelers and scuba divers who join forces to pick up trash from the ocean every two weeks.
Clean-up Australia Listings
Various locations | Check their website for dates
Clean Up Australia inspires and empowers communities to clean up, fix up and conserve our environment. Since the foundation, over 36 million hours of volunteer time has been donated to Clean-up activities that benefit our environment.
Clean Up Australia Day is held each year with a spotlight on cleaning our environment, however events are run year round.
Know of any other beach clean-ups in Sydney? Drop me a line and I will list them in this post.
And remember… keep Australia beautiful.
Travelling to Sydney?
Ready to travel to Sydney? Don’t forget your travel insurance. I recommend SafetyWing, as they fully cover COVID-19 related illness as of August 1, 2020. They even cover PCR tests if deemed medically necessary by a doctor. Read more here.
