Rubbish from Malabar to Maroubra beach clean-up to be shown in schools

New organisation Protect Our 1 is holding a beach and coastline clean-up between Malabar and Maroubra on Saturday, August 24, from 12.30pm and is inviting anyone to come along and help.

Danielle Geddes, Miley Da Silva Geddes, Richie “Vas” Vaculik and Chris Da Silva ahead of the Malabar 2 South Bra Beach Sweep. Picture: Craig Wilson

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If you mention the topic of pollution or protecting the ocean to Chris Da Silva, chances are you could end up joining him in a beach clean-up.

Mr Da Silva has grown up on the eastern beaches and is passionate about protecting the ocean and environment from harmful waste.

Earlier this month, he established a non-profit organisation with a group of friends and other residents called Protect Our 1, based at La Perouse.

Anyone is welcome to come along on Saturday, August 24 for the beach and coastline clean-up.

The organisation is holding a beach and coastline clean-up between Malabar and Maroubra on Saturday, August 24, from 12.30pm, called Malabar 2 South Bra Beach Sweep. Members are inviting anyone to come along and help.

“Our main goal is protecting the ocean from pollution and the land from pollution … we are also educating and bringing awareness,” Mr Da Silva said.

He said he had run a few clean-ups this year picking up rubbish along various beaches and was amazed at the rubbish he had found.

“Previously we have hosted three beach clean-ups. The first was a minor one with me and my family and a few kids. And from there I saw the potential,” he said.

Rather than throw most of the rubbish away that they collect, Mr Da Silva has been sorting it into different piles — such as cigarette butts, plastic bags and straws.

He then places the rubbish into large, clear cylinders to showcase at surf events and in schools.

The group has been organising rubbish they find into cylinders to showcase at surfing events and in schools.

“We do recycle some of the things we find. But a lot of the stuff we use a process we call breaking it down.”

He invited residents to come and join in the Malabar 2 South Bra Beach Sweep on Saturday, August 24, meeting at Malabar Beach at 12.30pm.

Participants are urged to bring a backpack with a reusable water bottle.

“It is not just about picking up rubbish but it is about the community aspect too and meeting people and showing people what we are all about,” Mr Da Silva said.

FOX Sports presenter UFC fighter and big wave surfer Richie “Vas” Vaculik will also be taking part.

Mr Da Silva said: “A big thankyou to all those people who had worked hard to make Protect Our 1 a reality.”

For more information on Protect Our 1 go to their Facebook page or email [e-mail].

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