The tide is turning for flotsam on Frank Sound’s shores as residents decided to literally take matters in their own hands – filling 27 bags of garbage in one week.

Tired of plastic and other debris marring the one-mile stretch of beach in front of their home, Graham and Janet Morse took it upon themselves to clear up the mess.

“Knowing that if everyone cleans up just a little bit there would be no garbage, we got together one week and worked a few hours every day picking up debris and garbage off the beach,” the Morses said.

While not part of the Department of Environment’s official duties, department staff did lend a hand as a token of their appreciation for the positive actions.

“Due to prevailing currents and winds, our beaches are unfortunately often inundated with junk. The only answer to this is regular neighbourhood clean-ups like the one in Frank Sound,” said Department of Environment’s Carl Edwards. “If everyone cleans a part, or doesn’t dump trash in the first place, it will make a huge difference.

“And although they did get a little help from us, the moral of the story is that no-one needs to wait for government to clean-up. So next time if someone asks you who’s going to clean up the beach, or when is government going to do something, tell them to talk to Graham and Janet Morse,” he said.

What can you do?

10 simple ways of taking action:

• Keep streets and storm drains free of trash – they can empty into our oceans and waterways.
• Eliminate open landfills.
• Recycle whatever possible.
• Solicit and help establish more and better recycling facilities in your area.
• Don’t discard cigarettes or other litter on the beach.
• Reuse plastic bags or preferably use paper or cloth bags for shopping.
• Do not flush diapers or other items down the toilet.
• Serve as an example to others and participate in local beach and river cleanup events.
• Inform and teach kids and adults about the problems associated with waste and marine litter.
• Don’t dispose garbage and other wastes over board when on boats.