As Islanders, we’re never that far from the ocean. It’s a part of who we are. But we also know that fish and whales aren’t the only things swimming in our corner of the sea.
There’s also a lot of trash.
We can help keep marine garbage from rotting away in the water or a landfill, though. And the Town of Comox is making that easier to do.
Comox Strathcona Waste Management has opened a marine garbage recycling depot in time for summer shoreline cleanup efforts.
Comox Strathcona Waste Management has partnered with the Ocean Legacy Foundation to open the depot. It will redirect ocean garbage and old marine equipment from landfills and move it towards valuable new uses.
“This development will allow us to capture plastic wastes, divert them from landfill and responsibly recycle items to not only support innovative technologies but further implement pragmatic solutions to grow the Canadian plastic circular economy,” said Chloé Dubois, executive director of Ocean Legacy Foundation.
By bringing in old fishing equipment and retired buoys, you remove plastic from our oceans. And it’s being transformed into useful new products!
Garbage like old plastic rope will be used for packaging for BC companies like Lush, or even ocean sporting equipment like kayaks.
Ocean waste has a huge effect on ecosystems and is an especially serious problem in Baynes Sound and surrounding waters.
Cleaning up our shorelines is a huge part of keeping our west coast waters as vibrant and healthy as possible.
The new depot is located at 3699 Bevan Rd. in Cumberland. But you’ll have to give them some notice you’re coming so materials can be sorted in advance.
Accepted materials include abandoned, lost or discarded fishing gear, marine debris and legacy equipment, including some netting and rope, polystyrene foam (Styrofoam), hard plastic and select buoys.
For more information and to sign up to use the depot, contact Alys Hoyland at alys@oceanlegacy.ca.
