Volunteers Collect Over 1,800 Pounds Of Trash
Cash Trash Bash has collected more trash from Bermuda’s oceans, beaches and coastlines this year than it did last year, as the fundraising initiative continues to raise awareness of ocean pollution.
The initiative was started by Karen Plianthos in 2015 and has now entered its ninth year.
Along with her mother, Louise Jones, 79, daughters Ophelia, 7, and Grace, 6, and numerous volunteers, Ms Plianthos spent 30 days from August 1 to August 30 removing trash from Bermuda’s oceans, beaches and coastlines.
They ask for donations of $1 for every pound of trash they collect.
Last year, they collected 1,638.1 pounds of trash and raised $4,705.92 in donations.
This year, they have collected 1,805.7 pounds and hope to raise more than last year’s total in donations by the end of next month.
“It’s wholesome good fun, but there’s a purpose behind it,” Ms Plianthos told Bernews.
“It’s also about giving back. We ask people to donate a dollar for every pound we collect.
“It really is like a ripple effect because we give that money to charities that are environmentally ocean focused.
“I always like to try to beat last year’s total.
“I made a promise to carry this goal through – on days when there’s thunder and lightning when you’re cowering underneath Nine Beaches waiting for the storm to pass so you can go and collect at Somerset Long Bay!”
She added: “My daughters take centre stage – they’re a year older and dive a bit better.
“I want my kids to be aware of the wonderful environment they have grown up in and to protect it and educate other people about it.
“Children are phenomenal message-givers and advocates.”
The two charities selected this year are the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science [BIOS] and the Anguilla Enhancement Project [AEP].
BIOS is a non-profit marine research and education centre that has studied the ocean and climate change for more than a century. It offers educational programmes for children.
Meanwhile, AEP is a non-profit organisation focused on environmental sustainability.
The group was founded by Anguillans with a passion for the sustainable and socially balanced development of the island.
“We’re not a registered charity but use all the funds raised to benefit a local and an international charity that is environmentally focused,” Ms Plianthos said.
“From beach clean ups to tree planting, we feel the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Science is a charity which embodies the grassroots of CTB,” she said.
“In addition, our good friend James Mcleod at Solar Sands, whom we partnered with earlier this year to turn our collected glass bottles into new glass treasures, has relocated to Anguilla with his family and we are hopeful to meet up with them there next February.”
Read More About
Category: All, Environment
