Picture the scene— you’re standing on a beautiful sandy beach, listening to the rhythmic crashing of waves in front of you, and feeling the salty breeze on your face. Now, imagine that paradise tainted by the sight of plastic waste, marine litter, and pollution.
Ruins the ambiance, doesn’t it? But don’t worry; There’s hope! Here at Water Witch, we’re passionate about waterway cleanup. We want to keep our rivers, ponds, and seas beautiful and plastic-free to preserve their beauty and abundance.
In this blog, we will explore the immense value of waterway cleanup. We look at the benefits of trash cleanup and what a difference preserving the beauty and vitality of our precious marine ecosystems has to the rest of the world.
Ready to learn about the benefits of waterway cleanup? Let’s dive in!
What Is Waterway Cleanup?
Waterway cleanup is the process of removing pollutants, microplastics, debris, and waste from bodies of water. This includes rivers, ponds, lakes, seas, and coastal areas. It can be done manually on a small scale, for example, through beach cleans, or through specialised equipment on a commercial scale, such as with the Versi-Cat Trash Skimmer.
During a waterway cleanup, individuals or groups come together to remove trash, plastic, marine litter, fishing nets, and other pollution from the water and surrounding areas. This helps preserve the natural beauty of our waterways, supports biodiversity, and keeps our water free flowing.
It’s important to remember that waterway cleanup goes beyond simply picking up trash. It also involves addressing the root causes of pollution and implementing strategies to prevent future contamination.
For example, did you know that UK households throw away 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging per year? And with plastic taking anywhere from 20 to 500 years to naturally decompose, most of that marline litter will end up in our seas! River clean-up alone cannot resolve this issue.
To prevent this from happening, there needs to be stricter regulations on waste management, promoting recycling and waste reduction, and raising awareness about the impact of pollution on marine ecosystems.
But, until that happens, waterway cleaning campaigns can help minimize the issue. Let’s move on to some of the key benefits of waterway and river cleaning.
The Key Benefits Of Waterway Cleanup
Waterway cleanup is vital to promoting healthy waterways, sustainably managing resources, and protecting our environment. However, there are also many economic, health, and educational benefits to water pollution cleanup.
Environmental Benefits
- Protects marine life. Removing plastic, debris, and other pollutants from waterways helps prevent harm to marine animals. For example, the entanglement of birds in plastic nets or the ingestion of plastics. Waterway cleanup safeguards their habitats and reduces the risk of species decline or extinction.
- Balances the ecosystem. Waterway cleanup helps prevent harmful algal blooms, oxygen depletion, and the creation of dead zones in aquatic environments. This ensures the survival of diverse marine species and their habitats. For example, the rare seagrass around the beautiful Isle of Anglesey.
- Preserves natural beauty. Clean and pristine waterways are a source of natural beauty. Waterway cleanup efforts restore and maintain the natural beauty of our seas, rivers, and lakes. This allows people to enjoy and appreciate their beauty for generations to come.
Economic Benefits
- Boosts tourism in coastal towns. Clean beaches, clear waters, and thriving marine ecosystems attract tourists and visitors, benefiting coastal regions and communities. Waterway cleanup enhances the appeal of destinations, supporting tourism-related businesses and creating employment opportunities.
- Supports fishing and seafood industries. By improving water quality and restoring marine habitats, waterway cleanup helps sustain fish populations. This ensures a reliable supply of seafood and supports the livelihoods of fishing communities.
- Preserves other coastal industries. Coastal industries, such as boating, sailing, and water sports, greatly benefit from waterway cleanup. Clean and debris-free waterways provide ideal conditions for these activities, attracting enthusiasts and generating business opportunities. This further contributes to coastal economies and brings employment opportunities for local people.
Health Benefits
- Ensures safe drinking water. Removing pollutants helps maintain the quality and safety of water supplies, reducing the risk of contamination and waterborne diseases.
- Reduced plastic-related health risks. Plastics can break down into microplastics and enter the food chain, potentially leading to the consumption of microplastics through seafood and drinking water. This poses a significant risk to human health. Waterway cleanup efforts help mitigate plastic pollution, reducing exposure to microplastics, and minimizes the associated health risks.
Educational and Awareness Benefits
- Improves ecological education. Waterway cleanup presents an opportunity to learn about the complexity and beauty of aquatic ecosystems. Participants gain insights into the delicate balance of marine life, the importance of biodiversity, and the role of clean rivers in supporting ecosystems.
- Fosters future environmental leaders. Integrating waterway cleanup into the curriculum cultivates a sense of responsibility and environmental stewardship among students. It empowers the next generation to protect our seas and take action against pollution.
The Bottom Line on Waterway Cleanup
Overall, waterway cleanup is crucial in creating a cleaner and healthier environment for marine life and human beings.
Waterway cleanup can happen on a small or big scale, and is a tangible and actionable step towards protecting our seas. The removal of plastic, marine litter, and other debris from waterways allows for free-flowing rivers and seas, which preserve the natural beauty and resources these waterways provide.
By actively engaging in cleanup efforts, we can significantly and positively impact human health, well-being, and the preservation of our waterways. Check out some of the work our Versi-Cat Trash Skimmer does on Brussel’s waterways to see the difference waterway cleanup can make! Click Here
Find out more about Water Witch
For further information contact Jackie Caddick, Director sales@waterwitch.com – +44 (0)151 207 4874
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