On Sunday the 23rd of November we partnered with Clean Up Australia to host a litter clean-up event and workshop at Archerfield Wetlands. The theme, Caring for our Catchment, encouraged community members to reflect on the everyday actions we can take to protect our wetland ecosystems.
Despite a very soggy start to the morning, we were able to rejig our schedule and still make the most of our time together. The group began by creating posters designed to encourage others to dispose of their rubbish responsibly and protect our waterways. Afterward, everyone headed out for a clean-up, collecting a total of nine bags of litter. Volunteer Jess then led a waste audit, helping participants identify the most commonly found items.
So what did we discover? More than 150 pieces of soft plastic, along with 60 bottle caps, 40 burst balloons, 40 plastic bottles, 15 plastic straws, 15 cigarette butts, seven takeaway coffee cups, five balls, five glass bottles, four aluminium cans, and one vape cartridge. The audit highlighted the significant accumulation of small soft-plastic items across the parkland, particularly in the garden beds surrounding the picnic tables.
Archerfield Wetlands is a popular destination for parties and families, and we encourage visitors to consider switching to reusable party supplies, leaving the balloons at home, and doing a quick clean-up of the area before heading off. Small actions like these help keep our wetlands healthy and enjoyable for everyone.
