Ocean cleanup set on Oct. 6

MANILA, Philippines - Concerned groups Ocean Conservancy and the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary (PCGA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement to facilitate the International Coastal Cleanup in the Philippines on Oct. 6.

Ocean Conservancy and the PCGA, national coordinators in the administration of the 27th International Coastal Cleanup Philippines, are asking volunteers around the world to pledge to “Take on the Trash” – which is this year’s theme.

Those who pledge will help build the collective movement for Trash Free Seas – both by reducing their own trash impact and helping clean up what fs already out there.

“Trash jeopardizes the health of our oceans, our economy and people, h said David Pittenger, director of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas program. “That’s why it fs important to tackle what’s preventable.”

“We need more volunteers than ever. Last year, volunteers found enough food packaging to get takeout for breakfast, lunch and dinner every day for the next 858 years,” Pittenger said.

He stressed that the cleanup is part of a growing movement to tackle ocean trash at every point in the lifecycle.