On Earth Day we introduced a series of Three Green Living Questions that we asked a number of folk that we have interacted with recently when working on environmental projects with them. Over the last couple of years beach cleanups have become a way of life for us. One of our favourite cleanups, and a monthly event is the Beach Co-Op Beach Cleanup at Surfer’s Corner in Muizenberg. Rain or Shine, every new moon for the past couple of years a group of volunteers are out there at low tide, gathering garbage… and experiencing all the awe and wonder at the incredible sea-life right there.
Introducing Aaniyah from the Beach Co-Op
I am Aaniyah Omardien, founder and director of The Beach Co-op. We recently registered as a non profit company. As the founder and one of 2 directors I drive change along the single-use plastic supply chain.
So thats means doing beach clean-ups to remove it from the marine environment, documenting what we find to understand the source of the marine debris and thereby being able to work with restaurants, retailers and other businesses that want to reduce and eliminate single-use plastic. We also intend engaging with the manufacturers of single-use plastic to see how we can design for recyclability or with the circular economy in mind.
Three Green Living Questions
- What one thing do you do in your home that you feel makes a difference to the environment?
- If you could tell your community one thing to change what would it be?
- If you had an opportunity to speak to world leaders what policy would you ask them to implement?
- It’s Earth Day and We Have Three Questions for You…
- Three Green Living Questions that We Asked a Citizen Scientist…
I recycle, buy/shop in bulk, separate organic waste for compost and have an indigenous garden that uses less water.
Try and refuse single-use plastic. And that is hard so try and refuse one thing that is wrapped in single-use plastic.
Wow, that is a hard one. It would have to be related to our consumption patterns as humans. Getting us to understand that our resources are finite and we need to look after them – be it climate change, marine, food security. They are all connected. And without a healthy planet we will not survive.
The Photo Gallery
If you want to know more about The Beach Co-Op you can follow them here on instagram, or check them out on Facebook.
Previous Posts in Our Green Living Series…
Watch this spot, same time same place next week… for another Green Living Interview…
I love this series! Refusing single use plastic is hard but I’m becoming so much more aware of it – thanks to groups like Beach Co-Op.
I am so glad you are enjoying them Debbie, we have quite a few of them lined up!!! I didn’t realize just how many interviews we had collected until I made a complete list!!! That being said, we are slowly but surely saying no to more and more plastic… it is a good feeling when you get closer and closer to zero plastic. And so frustrating when you realize just how much plastic we still use. Green Living is definitely a journey and not a destination!!!