District 1420 is participating in a beach litter monitoring and reporting study conducted by the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). We collect, classify, and count litter and report the results to SYKE.
Litter is collected three times a year from selected seashores within a 100 m × 10 m survey area. This year’s first collection day was on May 26. We collected approximately 540 pieces of litter, mainly various plastic items and processed wood, which we classified and reported.
This time, five Rotarians representing several different clubs took part in the collection effort. The spring sun was shining, and we had a great time together! SYKE’s monitoring program is part of a Europe-wide study that investigates how much litter, and what kinds of litter, are carried from the sea onto beaches.
Text: Outi Ritvala, Helsinki City West Rotary Club
