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What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Durban’?
Our glorious beaches, of course.
But we simply can’t take these coastal gems for granted. This Saturday (19 September) is International Coastal Cleanup Day and a good excuse to hit the beach with a rubbish bag and play your part.
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What is the day about?
Held annually on the third Saturday in September, International Coastal Cleanup Day (ICCD) was launched more than 30 years ago.
It’s now one of the world’s biggest coastal clean-up and litter data-gathering campaigns, with more than 17 million volunteers worldwide having removed approximately 160 million kilogrammes of rubbish from beaches and waterways since the initiative began.
In South Africa, the focus has expanded into an entire week of awareness and clean-up activities through Clean-up and Recycle SA Week.
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Here are some ways you can get involved over the next few days.
1. Durban North: Beachwood Mangroves
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, North Durban Honorary Officers, and KZN Wildlife Honorary Officers, in partnership with MUT, are inviting residents to a coastal clean-up at the Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve themed ‘Sea the Change’.
The clean-up is focused on removing litter while helping protect the mangrove habitat, which plays an important role for birdlife, marine nurseries and climate resilience.
- Host: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife | North Durban Honorary Officers
- Date: Saturday, 19 September 2026
- Time: 8am-1pm
- Location: Beachwood Mangroves Nature Reserve, Durban North
- Bring: Hat, sunscreen, gloves, water
- Contact: 065 850 2722
2. Umhlanga: Beach Jam Durban View Beach
The Litterboom Project is bringing its KZN Beach Jam to Durban View Beach in Umhlanga.
The idea is simple: spend a few hours helping clean the coastline, with music and good vibes thrown in. It’s a chance for Umhlanga residents and visitors to get involved in keeping the area looking its best.
- Host: The Litterboom Project
- Date: Saturday, 19 September 2026
- Time: 7am–10am
- Location: Durban View Beach, Umhlanga
- What to bring: Closed shoes, sunblock, hat and water bottle
- What’s provided: Refuse bags
3. Scottburgh: WildED heads to the beach
The clean-up effort also extends down the coast, with WildED kids and Wild Friends taking part in International Coastal Cleanup Day in Scottburgh. Note that this clean-up takes place on Monday, 21 September, with everyone invited to create a cleaner community.
- Host: WildED
- Date: Monday, 21 September 2026
- Times: 8am-11.30am
- Meeting point: Scotties Coffee Shop, Scottburgh Caravan Park
- Bring: Gloves, hat, sunscreen, water bottle and packed lunch/snacks
- What to wear: Comfortable clothes and shoes that can get sandy or dirty
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4. Durban: Three beaches, one clean-up effort
eThekwini Municipality and other stakeholders will undertake clean-up activities at Dakota Beach, Cuttings Beach, and Re-Union Beach. The initiative forms part of the municipality’s broader commitment to maintaining a clean and healthy coastal environment.
- Host: eThekwini Municipality and stakeholders
- Date: Saturday, 19 September 2026
- Locations: Dakota Beach, Cuttings Beach and Re-Union Beach
Every piece counts
Coastal clean-ups are also an important way of monitoring the amount and type of litter entering our marine environment and encouraging people to think about where waste goes once it leaves their hands.
Even if you’re not at the coast, find your nearest waterway and start cleaning up there – it all ends up in the ocean, so you’re getting to the source of the problem!
There’s no Durban without beaches. Let’s make sure they’re kept healthy.
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