Trash Hero Bangkok’s World Cleanup Day event 2022 was a success, with more than 200 people collecting 1660 KG of beach and ocean waste!
It was early Saturday morning. So early, that for some people it was still late. The mangroves by the Bang Pu Recreation Center swayed in the light ocean breeze. Calm waves watered the forest roots with a peaceful sound, each wave feeding the plastic piles with another treat.
This particular morning the sun shined even brighter than usual over one of busy Bangkok’s more peaceful areas, consistently drawing drops of sweat from any person daring to step outside. Regardless, the crowd of yellow-clad volunteers grew bigger and louder every minute. Soon there were more than 200 people preparing excitedly to make an impact.
For the next hour volunteers from schools, companies and embassies came together to help leave the mangrove forest in a better place. Collecting plastic bags tangled in the roots, pulling ropes from deep in the mud, working together carrying basket after basket of trash from the forest. Both the people and the threes were catching their breaths as piles were moved and roots untangled. By noon, the crowd had gathered a whole mountain of plastic. Bottles, bags, slippers, straws, lighters, food wrappers, fishing nets and ropes – you name it, we found it.
But this mountain is only the very tip of the plastic iceberg, only a brief suffocation break for the forest. This huge 1.62-tonne pile of trash we removed from the mangroves is a harrowing sign that we need change. A sign for brands and big companies to change the way we produce, for sellers and consumers to change the way we buy, and for everyone to change the way we behave, respect and treat our planet.
World Cleanup Day X Trash Hero Bangkok
Date — the 17th of September 2022
Location — Mangrove forest by Bang Pu Recreation Center
Volunteers — More than 200
Plastic waste — 1.62 tonnes
World Cleanup Day X Trash Hero Bangkok
Date — the 17th of September 2022
Location — Mangrove forest by Bang Pu Recreation Center
Volunteers — More than 200
Trash Collected — 1.62 tonnes
Location – Drowning Mangroves
The mangrove forest by Bang Pu Recreation Center turned out as a favourable location. Firstly, this part of the coastline is not too far from central Bangkok. The area acts like a net for plastic waste, with the mangrove roots trapping plastic brought in on ocean tides and washed down from the land. And secondly it was a perfect opportunity to rediscover the the forest beach’s original beauty once we removed all the plastic contamination.
Mangroves are one of the most valuable sources we have in today’s collective mission to save what’s left of our beautiful nature. Thus, this big cleanup did good in giving one Mangrove area a break from drowning in plastic, as well as contributing to revealing this consequence of our ever-plastic-polluting society. View more facts about Mangroves.
Engaged crowd
More than 200 volunteers joined the big cleanup. We had volunteers from the Thai-Norwegian Chamber of Commerce, the American International School, Jotun, Yves Rocher and Yara, along with friends and families from all across Bangkok. Trash Hero Bangkok and Starboard are so grateful for the huge engagement and hard work put in by all volunteers.
Some simple ways YOU can contribute
- Join weekly cleanups with Trash Hero Bangkok
Every Thursday at 4.30 pm we gather waste by Taco Lake, Bang Phli, Bangkok. Join our small action against our big problem. Stay updated here.
- Clean up in your area
Whenever you go on a trip, bring a bag and pick up trash on your way. Whether it is hiking, paddling, sailing, going to the beach, or others. Remember- if no one picks it up, it will stay in nature.
- Quit single-use plastics
Say no to single-use plastic bags, straws, cups and bottles. Replace them with reusable ones. Bring your own back-pack or bag when shopping, and your own cup when buying a smoothie or a coffee. Help create awareness, and influence those around you to do the same thing.
- Consume with mindfulness
Buy less, buy good-quality products containing sustainable materials, and buy second-hand. Take care of the things you already have- repair and reuse instead of replacing them.
More about our Cleanup Day 2022
Our Cleanup procedure
- Welcome & introductions from the Leader of the Norwegian Embassy, Starboard Founder and Trash Hero Bangkok volunteers.
- Cleanup information: where, why and how
- Dividing groups & areas
- Handing out equipment
- Cleaning up
- Weighing
- Sorting & Brand Audit
- Group Pictures and big smiles
- Recycling or landfill: Leave only our own footprints
To make the Cleanup as sustainable as possible, Trash Hero Bangkok provided:
- Reusable bins, bags and gloves
- A water refill station & reusable cups
- Vegan, local snacks & bananas
Furthermore, Trash Hero Bangkok set a prohibition against single-use plastics for the event.
When sorting the waste we did something called a Brand Audit, dividing all products with readable tags by brand. Brand Audits puts pressure on the waste source itself, namely the brands. Though putting pressure is good, it will not be enough. We need to change how we consume to make the brands join the change. It is up to you and me!
Read more about
Contact Trash Hero Bangkok
Feel free to contact us through our Facebook Profile if you have any questions.
