The much-anticipated Coast 2 Coast 2025 campaign launched this past weekend with an extraordinary start, rallying over 80 volunteers and local partners in a powerful collective effort to protect Cape Town’s coastlines from pollution.
Spanning three clean-ups across two days, the campaign, spearheaded by Save a Fishie’s Zoë Prinsloo, has already made a serious dent in its ambitious target of removing seven tons of waste, clocking in at a remarkable 1 753kg of litter collected in just 48 hours.
The campaign began with a bang, drawing enthusiastic volunteers to the beach after a short hiatus due to rain and international commitments, Prinsloo says. The absence of clean-ups for nearly three weeks was noticeable.
“The beach was dirty with lots to pick up,” says Prinsloo, citing the overwhelming amount of plastic, nappies, straws, syringes, and the ever-present lollipop sticks that volunteers discovered littered along the shoreline. “Thanks to the support of key partners like Pick n Pay and the Two Oceans Aquarium Trash Bash team, the event went smoothly—complete with logistics support, prizes, snacks, and much-needed hydration for those hard at work.”
Over 1 035kg of waste were collected during the first clean-up alone—a strong opening push towards the overall campaign goal. “It was amazing to see so many people come together. There’s something incredibly powerful about watching strangers work side by side for the planet,” Prinsloo adds.
Small team, big impact
A smaller clean-up crew took to Milnerton Lighthouse last week, where they were greeted by heaps of washed-up plastic bottles, nappies, and other debris caught between seaweed. What began as a modest trio quickly became a heartwarming story of spontaneous action.
“A young boy named Conan, who had travelled from Kensington for a swim, saw the volunteers at work and asked to join. He was a trooper,” says Prinsloo. “He just kept going, helping us fill and carry bag after heavy bag.”
Together, the five-person team collected 366kg of trash in just 90 minutes — managing to beat the incoming tide and save large amounts of litter from being swept back into the ocean.
Day two of the campaign saw another powerful turnout, this time at Sunset Beach, Milnerton. Volunteers were joined by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, councillors, and representatives from law enforcement solid waste, all ready to make a difference.
As has become tradition, some volunteers initially questioned why the beach was being cleaned. “It looked so clean,” one person remarked. But an hour later, over 20 bags had been filled, weighing in at 352kg.
“I always say that’s the irony of beach clean-ups — you only see the problem once you start looking closely,” Prinsloo says.
The mayor’s hands-on involvement was appreciated by all. “It was great to chat to him, and I really value that he helped carry the heavy bags back with us,” Prinsloo adds.
A strong start — and more to come
This year’s Coast 2 Coast builds on the success of previous years, where similar clean-ups along the West Coast, False Bay, and Southern Peninsula beaches saw tons of waste removed from the environment and communities educated on plastic pollution. Previous campaigns featured collaborations with schools, environmental NGOs, and local businesses, demonstrating that consistent, grassroots action can lead to long-term impact.
With over 1,7 tons already collected in just the first three clean-ups, Coast 2 Coast 2025 is off to an impressive start. Organisers promise more clean-ups in the weeks to come, and volunteers will continue efforts even while coordinators are temporarily away.
“Every bottle cap, every straw, every lollipop stick picked up matters,” says Prinsloo. “Because each one is a step toward a cleaner, healthier coastline for all of us.”
Want to get involved? Follow Coast 2 Coast on Facebook for clean-up dates, locations, and updates. Bring gloves, sun protection, and your passion for the planet.
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