Transforming Oceans and Lives: The "One Beach at a Time" Project by Scouts of Colombia
In August 2023, the Colombian Scout Group 171 Salvadores de Medellín, launched the "One Beach at a Time" project. This endeavor not only brought about a transformation in a Coveñas beach but also made a lasting impact on both the community and the awareness of youth and adults.
What started as a simple beach cleanup transformed into a more extensive mission when the group, comprising 56 young people and 23 adults, decided to participate in the Plastic Tide Turners and Champions for Nature Challenges of the EarthTribe Initiative, aligned with Scouts for the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).
Recognizing the devastating impact of plastic waste on oceans, the Scouts took on the responsibility of collecting litter and educating local tourists about the significance of recycling. Moreover, they pledged to collaborate with the community, imparting creative methods for reusing materials recovered from the sea, fostering a circular economy, and creating economic opportunities for a vulnerable population.
During a 5km beach cleanup, approximately 11.5 kilograms of PET bottle caps and 24 trash tarps, each weighing 50 kilograms and containing plastics, cans, bottles, and other waste, were gathered. Scouts also implemented ingenious devices to collect cigarette butts on the beach, preventing marine pollution.