Rainy season hits our corner of the Coral Triangle every year from December to March. It not only brings rain but also tonnes of trash. The storms and floods associated with this time of year wash heart-breaking quantities of plastic and other trash up onto the beaches of Bangka and mainland Sulawesi.

We know that only 4% of plastic waste tends to wash up on our shores, with 1% floating on the ocean’s surface and the remaining 96% sinking to the bottom of the ocean floor. It’s even more frightening to think that the vast quantities we’re seeing on the shoreline are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true amount of rubbish polluting our oceans.

Our key partner, Amelia Tungka of C.V. Daur Sinar Gemilang and Megamas, who manages the transportation and sorting of the recyclables we collect on Bangka’s beaches is leading by example in and around Manado and Bunaken. Using her connections and standing in the community, she has organised a series of beach clean ups, bringing together resorts, divers and local people. The teams between them collected more than 650 bags of trash, sending multiple bags of plastic bottles to be recycled. Please see below for all those involved!

Sometimes, these efforts can feel like a drop in the ocean, especially when a single stormy night can replace all the rubbish painstakingly removed by hand. But until the root cause of the plastic pollution problem is addressed, beach clean ups like these are a necessary part of the fight to protect our marine environment.

We’d encourage all our friends, supporters and readers to get out there this weekend and pick up a few bits of rubbish, no matter where in the world you are. Picking up a piece of litter and disposing of it properly could prevent it entering the sea! Share your efforts with us on Instagram by tagging @notrashtriangle.

Well done to all those involved in the Manado clean ups!

PPWS

Sea PEARL

TAGAROA DIVE CENTER

BASTIANOS RESORTS

MUREX RESORTS

EDO ANG

DENNY PAPA COXY

MEGAMAS

BOBOCA DIVING CLUB

MANADO SCUBA

DEGO-DEGO SELAM WAOKCA

BUNAKEN SEA GARDEN DC

D'LAGOON DC

DKPD SULUT

ARJUNA LANGITAN

RONNY GOGANI

SINYO SAMADI

JAYAN PILOMALI

PAPA JAG

Panorama Resort

Happy Gecko Resort

Oasis Dive Resort

Siladen Dive Resort

Seabreze Dive Resort

Bunaken Beach Dive Resort

Jeremi Barnes ( Safari Tour & Travel)

Deco Stop Caffe and Bar

Kokima Divers Club (KDC)

Rainy season clean up: Manado and Bunaken