Coogee Beach, one of Sydney’s most popular coastal destinations, has become a hotspot for littering, with partygoers and tourists leaving piles of rubbish every weekend. Frustrated by the growing problem, local resident Paige Smith cleans up the beach every Monday, uncovering an array of bizarre items.
Weekend Aftermath: A Beach Under Siege
Coogee Beach attracts visitors year-round, but the weekend influx of revellers has led to an escalating waste problem. By Monday morning, rubbish litters the sand, parks, and walkways.
Ms Smith, 29, decided to take action, heading to the beach each week with a bucket and stick to collect trash. In one morning, she collected 20 kilograms of rubbish.
Bizarre Finds Among the Rubbish
Beyond beer bottles and food packaging, Ms Smith has discovered men’s trousers, high-heeled shoes, used condoms, and dirty nappies. A particularly troubling find is discarded Snus sachets—a Scandinavian tobacco product contaminating the sand.
Microplastics—tiny plastic fragments—are among the hardest to remove, and cigarette butts remain a major concern. With 4.5 trillion cigarette butts discarded annually, they leach toxic chemicals into the environment.
Community Action: A Local Effort to Restore Coogee Beach
To tackle the issue, Ms Smith has registered a volunteer group under Clean Up Australia, which provides free clean-up kits and insurance for participants. She encourages others to spend just five minutes picking up rubbish, believing small efforts can make a big difference.
What’s Next for Coogee Beach?
The ongoing littering at Coogee Beach raises broader questions about public responsibility and waste management. While community-driven clean-ups play a vital role in maintaining the beach’s natural beauty, authorities may need to consider stricter regulations or increased enforcement to curb the problem.
For now, Ms Smith and her team of volunteers continue their efforts, hoping to inspire others to take action and preserve Coogee Beach for future generations.
Published 8-Feb-2025
