Clean Up Australia Day is the country's biggest community-based environmental event, and "it's just as well" says Eurobodalla's Clean Up coordinator Lisa Thomas.
"It's surprising, but Aussies are the second highest producers of waste, per person, in the world. For example, each year we litter around 50 million plastic bags and a whopping 7 billion cigarette butts," says Lisa.
Clean Up Australia Day is held on the first Sunday in March every year, with communities across the nation banding together to clear trash from their local patch.
"Eurobodalla is one of 251 Councils participating this year. We've been running Clean Up events in the shire for 23 years now. It's been a terrific effort, and we already have 35 sites registered for Sunday 2 March with plenty of scope for more," Lisa says.
"It takes five minutes to join an existing site, or you can round up the kids or a group of mates and register a new site of your own."
Lisa says many people are feeling pushed for time, so this year there are some additional incentives.
"We keep hearing that community is vital for mental health and regulars know this is a fun catchup that's good for the planet and good for the soul. This year we want to do a bit more to recognise the effort put in by wonderful volunteers with an array of vouchers – for meals, coffees, groceries, fruit and veg, and fun activities – to win."
Clean-up bags will also be available for pick up at Batehaven's Corrigans Reserve on the day, where radio station 2EC's Kimmi Saker is broadcasting live between 9am and noon. Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher will also be pulling on rubber gloves, picking up trash along the Moruya River with Year 5 and 6 students.
"Last April we had Year 4 from St Mary's Primary School visit Council for a mock Public Access session. One issue they raised – repeatedly – was rubbish! I made a promise then to join them on Clean Up Australia Day and, actually, I'm really looking forward to it," says the Mayor.
