There are two ways at welcoming students back to school - an unenvironmentally friendly way or an environmentally friendly way. Which one do you prefer?
Balloons are in the top three most harmful waste items to wildlife. Birds and turtles not only ingest balloons, they actively select them as food. This is because a burst balloon often resembles a jellyfish, the natural food sources of many marine species like turtles.
Ingesting balloons, and the clips and strings attached to them, can cause intestinal blockages and results in a slow painful death through starvation. Marine animals don’t have the gastrointestinal pH levels to breakdown a balloon and for turtles, it may also cause floating syndrome. Trapped gases in the gut can cause a turtle to become buoyant, unable to dive for food—making them vulnerable to boat strikes and leading to starvation and severe dehydration.
Wildlife, both terrestrial and marine, can also become entangled in balloon ribbons or strings, causing injury or death through drowning, suffocation, or an inability to feed and avoid predators.
Even if balloons are disposed of "safely" they go to landfill where it may take up to 1,000 years to decompose, leaching potentially toxic substances into the soil and water. Why are some schools using balloons to promote fun and happiness?
Even if these balloons are biodegradable, it's greenwash. Natural latex may be biodegradable, but after adding chemicals, plasticizers and artificial dyes, how natural could it be? It may degrade after several years, but it’s surely not “biodegradable.”
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #balloons #balloonsblow #plastic #plasticfree #beachcleanup #trashtag #litter #turtle #oceans #animals #animalrights

We are on the machines - now you can donate your bottles and cans to the crew directly from the "Return and Earn" machines in Mona Vale, Balgowlah, Manly Vale, Warringah Mall, Warriewood and Dee Why.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #returnandearn #recycling #recycle #northernbeaches

Every little step counts.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #beachcleanup

Upcycle old clothes and make baskets. This is about six tops and two pairs of trousers and two odd from a 4-year -old. Learn more here:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Ab4tLwM9KEw&feature=youtu.be
Pic: Kate Taylor
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #upcycle #repurpose #clothes #basket

Do you get your fruit and veggies plasticfree?
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plasticfree #plastic #saynotoplastic

How cool is this?
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #repurposed #bench #icehockey

And the Ingenuity award goes to……a local Shell Cove family!
No wind is going to flip this lid with this fantastic and simple milk bottle design.
One 2L milk bottle nearly full of water, cable tied to the handle.
What an awesome Aussie invention!
Ps - The waste truck driver thought this design was awesome and gave it a double thumbs up! Just enough to stop that lid from flipping open in the wind, and no problem emptying the bin.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #litter #rubbish #invention #rubbishbin #bin #lid

We just want to thank everyone so much that helped cleaning up after the grubs last weekend. There were rubbish (broken glass, balloons, takeaway containers, plastic bags etc.) in literally all suburbs along the beaches after last Saturday evening. We have some amazing people in our community that care very much about our environment and wildlife and you're all legends. Let's continue to fight for the good and not give up. Hopefully, others will learn soon and join us as well. Education is the key. Keep up the good work - Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #beach #loveManly #Freshwater #gooddeeds #beachcleanup #rubbish #litter #localheroes #DeeWhy #NBCUC #northernbeaches #beachescouncil

The BPA ink used in most receipts means they cannot be composted or recycled and therefore must go into the landfill bin. Where possible, ask to have your receipt emailed to you instead of getting a physical copy.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #recycle #recycling

Why not?
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #repurposed

This image of a delicate seahorse dragging a mask in the waters off northern Greece, has been nominated for the Ocean Photography Award 2021. Greek photographer Nicholas Samaras captured the viral photo.
Credit: Nicholas Samaras Underwater Photography
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #seahorse #ocean #conservation #saveouroceans

Great upcycling by Noddy Kaz. This is a great way of preventing stuff going to landfill.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #upcycling #upcycle #waronwasteau

​Repurposed hat instead of a plastic cone
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plasticfree #plastic #saynotoplastic

We love kind people with brilliant ideas and here's on of them. Sarah has created a no waste picnic/party pack for 12 people that you can borrow for free. How amazing is that? Contact https://www.facebook.com/sarah.peachman for more information.
#northernbeachescleanupcrew #plasticfree #picnic #community #loveManly #kindness #bekind