Registrations are open for clean-up campaigns in five beaches of Paraná

Hundreds of volunteers participate, on September 17 and 19, in a mobilization to remove waste from beaches, rivers and mangroves from the coast of Paraná. The initiative is part of the World Cleanup Day of Rivers, Beaches and Lakes, linked to the World Cleanup Day, a movement held in several countries.

The activities involve socio-environmental projects, universities, civil society organizations, fishermen, collector associations, companies, educational institutions and representatives of the public power. The objective is to reduce the presence of waste in coastal ecosystems and increase the awareness of the population about environmental preservation.

The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) participates as a partner in the mobilization. Students who volunteer will receive certificates of participation.

Actions take place in five coastal cities

On Thursday (17), the activity is held in Antonina, with a concentration at 8:30 am in the Municipal Trapiche, in Feira Mar Square. The program was organized in partnership with fishermen of the region and has the participation of the Paraná ports.

On Saturday (19), the mutirões will be held in Pontal do Paraná, Paranaguá, Matinhos and Guaratuba.

In Pontal do Paraná, the concentration will be in Pontal do Sul Beach, in front of the walkway. The coordination will be done by the project Olha o Clima, Litoral!, of Mater Natura – Institute of Environmental Studies, and by the Marine Biodiversity Recovery Program (Rebimar), of the MarBrasil Association.

In Paranaguá, the meeting point will be at Rua Bahia, 230, in Vila do Povo. In Matinhos, the action takes place in Praia Brava, in front of Sesc Caiobá. The place will also have a tent for children, with activities until 11:30.

Already in Guaratuba, volunteers must meet at 8 am in the sign of the Central Beach.

Mobilization seeks to raise public awareness

According to Karina Luiza de Oliveira, coordinator of the project Olha o Clima, Litoral!, the participation of the community helps to show the impacts caused by the inadequate disposal of waste.

“This mobilization is very important so that people can contribute directly to the conservation of nature and realize how much waste incorrectly discarded can harm meio ambiente,” he says.

The general coordinator of Rebimar, Lilyane de Oliveira Santos Fontoura, emphasizes that the initiative also has an educational and social mobilization function.

“Every year, we see more people joining as volunteers in this action. Removing tons of waste from our beaches makes a huge difference, but World River and Beach Cleanup Day goes far beyond that,” he said.

Waste will be analyzed by researchers

After the collection, all the collected material will be weighed and analyzed by researchers specialized in waste at sea linked to Rebimar.

The data help to identify the types of waste most found in the coast of Paraná and are used in studies on coastal pollution.

After the analysis, the recyclable materials will be forwarded to associations of waste pickers in the region, responsible for the proper disposal of waste.

Volunteers receive materials for collection

Participants will have access to heavy duty bags for waste collection, reusable gardening gloves and snacks.

The organization recommends that volunteers use sunscreen, cap or hat and bring bottle for water supply. In the activities carried out in mangroves, it is also indicated the use of closed and repellent shoes.

The forecast is that each action lasts approximately two hours. In case of light rain, the mutants will be kept.

Mangroves play an important role in environmental balance

One of the objectives of the project Olha o Clima, Litoral! is to expand the conservation of the mangroves, salt marshes and other coastal ecosystems of the Paraná.

These environments serve as shelter and breeding grounds for different species, help in the maintenance of artisanal fishing, store carbon and contribute to reducing impacts caused by erosion and extreme weather events.

Irregular waste disposal, however, can compromise these environments. Carried away by rains and rivers, garbage can reach estuaries and the ocean, affecting animals and the environmental quality of coastal areas.

Applications to participate in the mutiny are still open through the form provided by the organization.