Shoreline Cleanup Safety 101

Every year, thousands of Canadians volunteer their time to protect our aquatic ecosystems from litter, and in turn, it is important for us to protect the volunteers on the shorelines and make their safety our priority.

Before you head out to a shoreline near you, here are some tips to help you plan a successful and safe cleanup event.

Tip 1: Pick a safe and accessible location

From a lake to a river to an ocean shore or a storm drain, a cleanup can happen anywhere land connects to water. Check the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup registration map to find some suggestions for sites that have been cleaned in previous years. For the best cleanup experience, visit the site in advance of your cleanup day to familiarize yourself with the lay of land and note any potential unsafe areas We also encourage you to reach out to your municipality in advance to make sure you have permission to access the site as some may be private property or require a special permit.

Tip 2:  Have proper gear and supplies

Now that you have a safe cleanup site, it is time to gear up for cleanup day. In addition to the basic supplies like garbage bags, litter data cards, pens and pencils, there are two must have items – gloves and proper footwear (no open-toed shoes).

We also recommend preparing a first aid kit for emergencies and keeping a list of emergency contact numbers handy. And of course, pack some sunscreen and stay hydrated with a reusable water bottle.

Tip 3: Have a sharps container

It is common for volunteers to come across sharp objects on the shoreline, including syringes and broken glass. Please remind your team never to handle these items with bare hands and to place all sharp items in a sharps container (a rigid container ideally made of metal or plastic). If you have youth volunteers in your group, make sure they know never to handle sharp objects on their own and to notify an adult if they come across any during the cleanup.

Many local pharmacies offer a sharps disposal program and provide sharps containers for free. You can bring back the container after your cleanup and they can assist with proper disposable of syringes and other sharp objects.

There have been concerns raised in certain urban areas with increasing cases of opioid incidents, noting the potential for volunteers to be accidentally exposed to fentanyl or other dangerous substances. We ask all volunteers to exercise caution and sound judgement and not pick up any hazardous items. The best approach is to mark down the area and notify local authorities immediately.

Tip 4:  Leave animals alone

Should you come across any animal, dead or alive, do not approach it. If you encounter a live entangled animal, do not attempt to disentangle it yourself. Attempting to help the animal puts you in danger and can also cause the animal added stress and possibly injure them. The appropriate steps are to:

• Stay back
• Keep spectators away from the animal
• Notify appropriate authorities like the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, the SPCA or other local conservation authority

Tip 5: Be careful with large items

You might come across large pieces of debris on the shorelines that may be too heavy to lift by yourself. If it is something that a few team members can help lift together and bring back to your garbage collection point, please do so with caution and always lift from your knees to avoid back injury. If the item is too heavy, leave it at the site but notify local authorities so they are aware of the item and can arrange for pick up.

Shoreline cleanups are meant to be fun for everyone and this is why it is important to keep safety top of mind for yourself and others on your team. If your cleanup is cancelled due to unsafe conditions at your site, please also contact the Shoreline Cleanup staff so they can make note of it and inform other groups who may want to lead a cleanup at the same location in the future.  Should you have any concerns or questions, please contact us at [email protected] or by phone at 1-877-427-2422 for further assistance.

The Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup, presented by Loblaw Companies Limited, is one of the largest direct action conservation programs in Canada. A conservation initiative of the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre and WWF-Canada, the Shoreline Cleanup aims to promote understanding of shoreline litter issues by engaging Canadians to rehabilitate shoreline areas through cleanups. www.ShorelineCleanup.ca