A total of 29,659 pieces of trash were collected along the coastline of Brgy. Lo-oc and Bantayan, Dumaguete City in a Coastal Clean-Up and Brand Audit last Dec. 2, spearheaded by WOW-Break Free From Plastic Negros Oriental.
A list posted on WOW’s Facebook Page showed that plastics bags and unidentifiable plastics topped the most number of trash, with 7,926 pieces collected.
This was followed by 7,404 pieces of identifiable sachets and plastic wrappers and 3,030 pieces of Polystyrene foam (Styrofoam).
“Polystyrene foam floats on water which makes it a common type of trash washed up on beaches,” it said.
When exposed to natural elements, it breaks down into smaller fragments. These small pieces of foam can look like food to marine animals, the post added.
“The counting is useful because it allows us to assess the characteristics of the waste and try to predict where it originated from; that way we can identify where there is need for more education or better management practices,” said Natasha Kunesch, WOW assistant head.
As of press time, WOW has still has to give the Weekly Sillimanian the final list of their inventory of the brand audit.
