By Cameron Weston
MANY man-made environmental problems seem too big for an individual to tackle, but beach lovers gathered at Altona Beach last weekend to show that local initiatives could make a difference.
Members of the Altona Life Saving Club (ALSC) and keen locals met at the beach to launch a campaign to rid the golden sands of cigarette butts and litter.
Hobsons Bay City Council has estimated that cigarette butts make up half of the litter on Altona Beach and in nearby Logan Reserve.
ALSC president Lars Murphy said members were keen to lend a hand to keep the beach litter-free.
“The life saving club is very happy to be a part of that and to make an effort to keep the beach clean.
“It’s important that the beach is looked after and the community know to keep the area clean.”
Mr Murphy said lifesavers handed out free “eco-safe” ashtrays to beach-goers and passers-by on Saturday, a more suitable receptacle for cigarette butts than the sands of the beach.
The lifesavers plan to keep handing out the ashtrays throughout January.
