The pandemic has not been kind to our coastline.
As people escape the confines of home, coupled with a spike in take-out dining, we鈥檝e left behind a mess of single-use plastics, face masks, beverage bottles and assortments of all the usual trash behind. Ironically, the pandemic and physical distancing protocols are also to blame for the record-low turnout this year 鈥� a 50 per cent drop 鈥� in the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup.
But a group of socially-minded teens in the Ocean Wise Conservation Association鈥檚 YouthToSea program want the Lower Mainland鈥檚 help with a course correction. Keeping their eye on the pandemic鈥檚 broader community impacts, they鈥檝e conceived an inclusive idea called Clean Coastal, Eat Local. It not only helps and promotes ocean health, but supports struggling restaurants who support sustainable food producers.
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鈥淎ll of us at YouthToSea wanted to come up with an idea to incorporate doing a good deed for something in return. Through Clean Coastal, Eat Local, we are supporting local businesses while encouraging individuals to get out and clean their local shoreline or waterway,鈥� said Elizabeth Chung, an 18-year-old YouthToSea participant from Burnaby.
The goal is to see 120 shoreline cleanups in Metro Vancouver within the month of March. Those that collect at least 50 pieces of trash, or 10-pounds equivalent, will receive a $50 gift certificate from one of several locally-owned restaurants around the Lower Mainland.
Each cleanup must be hosted either solo or by households in order to meet physical distancing guidelines.
鈥淲e鈥檝e received pretty much all positive reactions,鈥� said Yonatan Roling, a Grade 10 student at Sir Charles Secondary School and YouthToSee member. 鈥淲e鈥檝e seen people trying to get out to do what they can to cleanup, but there鈥檚 been a spike in littering and there just isn鈥檛 enough awareness about programs that exist. This initiative really helps us get the message out to people and their families of what they can do under current circumstances.鈥�
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Participating restaurants include Heirloom Vegetarian Restaurant, Tacofino, The NAAM, Fable Diner, Sammy J鈥檚 Grill and Bar, Olive and Anchor, Charlie Don鈥檛 Surf, Burgoo, Cotto Enoteca Pizzeria, Bowen Island Pub, Blue Canoe Waterfront Restaurant and Hive Caf茅.
To be eligible, participants must conduct their cleanup in Metro Vancouver between March 1 and 31, and be registered on the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup .
鈥淲ith the incentive of gift cards from local restaurants and cafes, we are hoping to shine a light on small businesses that are struggling currently. Overall, I鈥檓 super excited to get this started and see how our communities can rise together - from sea to shore,鈥� YouthToSea member Sophie Dublin said.
The gift cards were purchased by YouthToSea program, part of the Canada Service Corpse funded by Employment and Social Development Canada.
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