The garbage collected during the local observation of International Coast Cleanup 2016 last month amounted to 2,919 pounds.
This is according to the preliminary findings presented by the Caribbean Youth Environment Network-Guyana (CYEN-Guyana) which was the steering force behind the annual event.
The event in itself aims to engage citizens at the national level, to be a part of the world’s largest volunteer effort to reduce pollution of the oceans and waterways and would have seen volunteers tackling same in both Demerara and Berbice.
Here in the city, volunteers were tasked with the collection of garbage from the Georgetown Seawall between Camp Street and the Marriott Hotel, while those in Berbice focused on Number 63 Beach, Corentyne.
During the activity, volunteers were asked to complete an Ocean Trash Data Form, before the weight of each trash bag was assessed to account for the total trash collected from each site.
According to the findings, the collection of garbage from Georgetown weighed in at 2,632 pounds while 287 pounds were collected from Berbice to give a combined total of 2,919 pounds.
Additionally, the findings reveal that plastic bottles seemed to have been the most improperly disposed item, followed by bottle caps and unusual items such as clothing.
It was further noted that the organization is working towards the completion of an official report inclusive of recommendations that will be presented to the relevant ministry as a contribution to the development of what is believed to be a much needed national policy on littering.
In the interim, CYEN–Guyana urges citizens to be proactive in practising correct disposal of garbage and to continue to participate in the initiative when the opportunity presents itself.
There was an approximate turnout of 170 volunteers, both adults and children, and CYEN-Guyana extended gratitude to its collaborating partner, the Environmental Protection Agency as well sponsors ExxonMobil, the Marriott Hotel, the Guyana International Volunteer Effort, Troy Resources Guyana Inc and Southland International Inc for their contributions to making the event successful.
