On a beautiful spring day this year, I helped with a beach cleanup organized by Surfrider Netherlands in Kijkduin, The Hague. After sorting everything we found and dividing it into different bins the outcome was surprising. I might even dare to suggest, hopeful."
text & photo: Alexandra Gossink
The clean-up was part of a company outing for the Amsterdam-based beer brand Lowlander. Lowlander's motto is to do less harm to nature and give more back, and they’re consciously working in every way to contribute to a better world. Such a pleasure spending that sunny day working with them.
After about an hour of walking in pairs along the beach, armed with gloves and bags, the team returned. As we do at cleanups, everything found was sorted—plastic, organic materials, paper, (fishing) rope, and general waste. Until recently, we used to find lots of cans and bottle caps, and a bit longer ago, plenty of straws, small plastic bottles, and bags. We're seeing less and less of these in the collected trash. It’s the small things that make a big difference!
The same was true for this cleanup. It sparked conversations and reflection. The reduction in straws, cans, and caps in litter is, of course, thanks to the new regulations: no more single-use plastic bags in the fruit and veg section or at supermarket checkouts, deposits on cans and plastic bottles, and caps attached to bottles.
But the real topic of conversation is who and what we’re obliged to these regulations. It would be nice to believe our country has such responsible and environmentally conscious leaders. But no, sadly, you probably know that’s far from the truth, though there are a few good ones ;-).
PEOPLE POWER
By joining forces with Surfrider chapters internationally, and with organizations like Stichting De Noordzee, Surfrider can achieve a lot. This is how we work towards local and international goals, clean water, clean beaches, and the protection of our beloved surf spots:
· Campaigns like Butts off the Beach aim to drastically reduce the many cigarette butts still littering our beaches (hey, smokers, the beach is NOT an ashtray!).
· Awareness, through organizing cleanups and events, and providing lessons and workshops in schools.
· By encouraging major users to make the right choices, as Surfrider does with the Ocean Friendly Restaurant certification.
· We keep a close eye on water conditions — not talking wave height and tides, but the quality of the seawater. Is it safe for surfers and swimmers to enter the water in a particular area? What chemicals are present? Have any health complaints from surfers and swimmers been reported?
· But also, by reaching out to those in higher positions! We engage with decision- makers, lobby, and act for nature and the ocean.
And so, laws may be amended, and in time, you see the results when you find less litter along the coast!
PROTECT YOUR PLAYGROUND, BUT HOW?
We still have a long, long way to go. Unfortunately, a walk and cleanup along the coast still reveals far too much rubbish, despite the beautiful views. Raising awareness and taking subsequent action takes time. And yes, it also costs money. While some paid staff work alongside almost entirely volunteers, the actions and campaigns aren’t without costs. We have travel and production costs, flyers, and posters. We also test the water quality at five locations along the Dutch coast each month and have it independently analysed. Just the lab analyses alone are quite expensive.
That’s why, dear saltwater lover and fellow surfer, we’re calling on you. Will you join us in advocating for a healthy sea, clean beaches, and rivers?
You can do this with a one-time or monthly donation of just five euros! That’s less than two blocks of wax!
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