VOICE ABOVE WATER is the story of a 90-year-old Balinese fisherman who can no longer fish because of the amount of plastic pollution in the ocean, instead he collects trash in hopes of being able to fish again. The story is a glimpse into how one human is using his resources to make a difference and a reminder that if we all play our part we can accomplish something much greater than ourselves. Watch the movie for free by clicking on the link below. 
https://vimeo.com/495325925
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plastic #litter #rubbish #trash

Check out these legends - this is what they cleaned up in just under two hours. What a fantastic effort. "What you makes a DIFFERENCE, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make." ~ Jane Goodall
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #beachcleanup #cleanup #commumity #cleanup #inspiration #bethechange

Australians throw out 2.7 million single-use or disposable coffee cups every single day. This adds up to 1 billion coffee cups thrown out every year. Many are in the bins on the Manly ferry. Come on, we can do better than this.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #loveManly #Manlyferry #coffee

Don't put your fruit and vegetables in plastic bags. Just leave them loose or upcycle an old t-shirt and make your own reusable produce bags. If you can, opt for items that are package-free. Or, choose items packaged in cardboard or tin instead of soft plastic.
Think about plastic items you frequently buy and whether there is a way to avoid these. If you’re a fan of carbonated water, instead of purchasing it in single-use plastic bottles, consider getting a carbonator. It’s an investment but it will save you money in the long run.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plasticfree

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has ~ Margaret Mead
Pic from earlier this year.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #beachcleanup

Inspect your bathroom:
No part of a plastic toothbrush is biodegradable, so try a bamboo toothbrush instead. The cotton bud is another big single-use plastic culprit in the bathroom. Again, the bamboo version is your friend.
Shampoo, conditioner, bodywash, handwash, toner, moisturiser... The list of plastic-packaged products goes on. But there are alternatives. Many of these products come in solid bars with minimal to no packaging. Instead of bodywash or handwash, use a bar of soap. Coconut oil can act as conditioner, moisturiser and makeup remover.
While you’re at it, switch to a recycled toilet paper that isn't packaged in plastic. Some brands deliver in bulk.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plasticfree #saynotoplastic #plasticpollutes

This year's Olympic Medals are made from e-waste that the Japanese residents were encouraged to donate.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #recycle #recycling #Olympics #olympics2021

Every little step is worth celebrating. If you can get your produce from a local farmer's market or from a bulk food store, then remember to bring your reusable fruit and vegetable bags with you to the supermarket.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plasticfree

Return and Earn machines are closed in Greater Sydney. If you want to donate your 10 cents bottles to "Northern Beaches Clean Up Crew" once the machines are up and running again, you can scan the barcode and then press "PayOut" and we'll use the funds to buy equipment to our volunteers.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #returnandearn #recycling #recycle

That's why we do what we do!
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #beachcleanup

Coles will stop giving away plastic collectable toys such as the popular Little Shop collection at its checkouts amid concerns the items have ended up in landfill and waterways. The decision follows a survey of 9000 Coles customers that found reducing waste and plastic packaging was a key concern among shoppers.
Coles said it would continue to explore other reward programs, citing its popular MasterChef cookware campaign and the Little Treehouse book series made from environmentally sustainable paper.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #coles #plasticfree #beachcleanup #plastic

Who needs plastic when you can get your delish takeout wrapped in a corn husk?! San Miguel de Allende's ban on single-use plastics and styrofoam took effect on January 1st, but that wasn't about to stop street vendors from serving up meals. Instead of tossing corn husks, the excess leaves are given new life as plates which can be composted after use and are completely biodegradable. These simple switches make excellent alternatives
El Chuy
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plasticfree

Do you have long hair and need to tie it up when you do ocean activities?
Please make sure you tie it up tightly or even better use a swimming cap. If your hair tie comes out, it can kill wildlife. This is the third "Blind Shark" we have seen dead in a short time on our beaches - suffocated to death because a hair tie got wrapped around its gills. We can do better than this.
Pic: Bold & Beautiful Swimmers
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #shark #hairtie #beachcleanup #saveouroceans #loveManly #Manlybeach #litter

What does biodegradable mean?
Every time you do a food shop, you might check the labels to see if the packaging can be recycled. If the word ‘biodegradable’ pops up, you may be even more confident that you’re helping to reduce the amount of pollution that enters our environment. But biodegradable can be a misleading term, and it may be even be harmful for the planet.
Biodegradable essentially means that an item can be broken down into increasingly smaller pieces by bacteria, fungi or microbes to be reabsorbed by the surrounding environment, ideally without causing any pollution. Some things are naturally biodegradable, like food and plants, while other items can break down into harmful chemicals or gases.
The trouble is, everything we use or create can be called biodegradable because eventually everything will break down – from organic waste and wooden cutlery to pladtic packaging or steel machinery. It could just take a very, very long time. So, putting the word ‘biodegradable’ on food labels isn’t very helpful for anyone trying to make greener shopping choices.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #biodegradable #greenwashing