2016 Cleanup Media Release

Team Clean gears up to stop Tassie’s wildest beaches being rubbished

A team of 20 hardy volunteers are preparing for their annual expedition to clean up some of Australia’s most remote beaches. Last year, the cleanup crew removed a record-breaking 79,084 pieces of rubbish that had washed ashore in Tasmania’s spectacular World Heritage Area.

“Marine debris is trashing some of our wildest beaches. We’re absolutely committed to fighting this toxic wave of rubbish that’s choking our oceans and destroying our marine life,” said clean up coordinator Matt Dell.

Over the past 15 years, this dedicated team have collected, counted and sorted nearly half a million items of marine debris.

“Marine debris is a critical global issue. We’ll be slogging our guts out to keep our beautiful beaches clean, and we’re asking the Tasmanian community to chip in and get behind us.”

Team Clean launched a crowd funder last week to help cover the costs of the 100% volunteer-run not for profit expedition.

The cleanup is used as an important tool for public education, advocacy and behaviour change. This year, for the first time, students from across Australia will have the chance to learn about the impacts of marine debris first hand via an on-line interactive educational blog, as teacher Pat Spiers joins the crew through a partnership with the Bookend Trust. The cleanup team is calling on interested schools to register now and get involved.

“We need all hands on deck to tackle this crucial issue, and help protect Tassie’s globally renowned wild places, over 80% of marine debris globally is derived from the land, we need to stop the rubbish at the source” said Mr Dell.

The team of 20 dedicated volunteers will be jumping aboard three local fishing boats this Saturday and setting course for the wild southwest coast to tackle the wave of marine debris head on.

For comment, contact

Matt Dell 0419 922 887

Pozible crowdfunder – www.pozible.com/teambeachclean

Schools registration – https://expeditionclass.com/southWestCleanup.php

Cleanup blog – http://wha-marinedebris.blogspot.com.au/

A comprehensive photo library can be accessed at www.dropbox.com/sh/gcby9q97b3g0uno/AABdW-fQAbSnboYPXeZJfDZDa?dl=0