Around 3,000 volunteers collected approximately 3.7 tonnes of litter across the Belgian coast during the 15th edition of Eneco Clean Beach Cup on Sunday.
"Each piece of plastic we gather is one too many, but at the same time, a day like this warms the heart," explained Sven Fransen, a surfer and driving force behind the initiative.
The clean-up operation involved families, friends, colleagues, clubs and associations, who all pitched in on Sunday afternoon to clean the North Sea beaches at the start of the nautical season. This year, participants collected 3.7 tonnes of rubbish – just down from last year's staggering five tonnes.
Rubbish and plastic waste from across the nation ends up in the sea via waterways and washes up on coastal beaches. On average, there are 137 pieces of litter per 100 metres of coastline. Surfers have to deal with the issue daily, as well as fishermen, who often find plastic in their nets.
The annual Eneco Clean Beach Cup also offers visitors various activities, concerts, beach games and educational projects. Musician Piet Goddaer, also known as Ozark Henry, composed a song about waste specifically for the event, which he performed live on Sunday.
