NANAIMO — An international environmental organization is using Earth Day as a platform to expand on the value of longstanding grassroots shoreline cleanups.
Conducted since 1994 across Canada, Ocean Wise volunteers have conducted organized waste removal work across Canada, focusing on ocean shorelines, lakes, river and creeks.
Patrick Lamontagne, director of youth and shoreline programs for Vancouver-based Ocean Wise, said a variety of damaging plastics remains a paramount concern, including regionally.
“At this point, we’re finding plastic all over the place, no matter where you are; even some of the most remote places on Vancouver Island for example, the chances of not running into plastic are very slim.”
The federal government implemented a single-use plastics ban on six categories, including checkout bags and cutlery, late 2022.
Lamontagne said since the ban was implemented, a noticeable reduction in those single-use plastics has been recorded by their shoreline cleanup volunteers across Canada.
“But on the flip side of that, we are seeing some of those items that are not finding themselves regulated right now, coffee cups and lids are the main offender that come to mind, really kind of seeing a significant increase.”
Ocean Wise states over 9,000 volunteers took part in about 860 cleanups across Canada last year, removing over 14,000 kilograms of waste, presenting over 363,000 pieces of litter.
A 2025 impact report published by Ocean Wise outlines a “dirty dozen” list of the most commonly found littered items by their volunteers last year.
The most 12 commonly found littered items following organized Ocean Wise shoreline cleanups last year. (Image Credit: Ocean Wise)
Data from the thousands of kilograms of material annually secured from Canadian shorelines has advanced single-use plastic bans, informed choices by food and beverage companies and supported municipal litter policies.
Lamontagne said about half of their shoreline clean-ups contain valuable data regarding the amount and type of waste collected.
Data, Lamontagne said, is instrumental in advocating for policy changes from multiple levels of government, as well as waste producers.
“That data, that information that get collected around what specifically and how much is being collected, allows us to have conversations with municipalities, with companies to try to influence how they’re engaging with their waste.”
Lamontagne said the City of Nanaimo has been a leader among municipalities in helping to reduce shoreline waste accumulation.
He said a recommendation to the City to mitigate impacts around large gathering events has led to positive outcomes.
Since working with the City of Nanaimo in 2024, Lamontagne said the City boosted waste diversion efforts by adding recycling and organics containers in key areas, including parks and around the downtown core.
“It demonstrates the willingness to make change and improve when it comes to waste and plastic in our environment.”
Details on joining shoreline clean-ups can done through an Ocean Wise online interactive map available here.
The City of Nanaimo was one of several municipal governments in the province to initiate a single-use plastic checkout bags ban in the summer of 2021, prior to the federal government action.
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