Environmental organisation Tangaroa Blue has completed another beach clean-up, this time much closer to home at Woody Island, northeast of Port Douglas.

Volunteers removed plastic cups, sytrofoam, thongs, treated wood, glass, buoys, bottle caps and even an old television set from the island’s beach and mangrove zones during the cleanup on August 16. 

Tangaroa Blue has cleaned up Woody Island several times before and said that they are beginning to make a noticeable difference to the island’s garbage levels. 

In 2012 they removed 637 kilograms, while in 2013 they removed 210 kilograms and this year’s cleanup yielded only 140 kilograms of debris. 

As usual the organisation meticulously logged every piece of rubbish for entry into the Australian Marine Debris Database, which will help scientists understand and combat marine pollution around the country. 

Tangaroa organisers wished to thank the 21 volunteers who conducted the cleanup, Low Isles caretakers Jenni and Wayne Fox, tour companies Quicksilver and Sailaway for transport and Malone’s Butchery for donated food. 

Tangaroa’s next clean-up will be in Cape Kimberly in October.