Clean Sri Lanka: Protecting Beaches from Plastic

1. Introduction

From February to June 2025, Save a Life carried out five impactful beach cleanups across the Jaffna District. These cleanups focused on environmental preservation, plastic waste reduction, and community awareness. We partnered with local government bodies, military personnel, academic institutions, and civil society to remove over 2.5 tons of waste from coastal areas and engage nearly 325 volunteers.

2. Key Activities

Gurunagar Beach Cleanup (Feb 9, 2025)

In collaboration with Jaffna Municipal Council, we conducted a beach cleanup at Gurunagar Beach.

• Total Waste Collected: 1,411 kg
• Participants: 30 (15 male, 15 female)
• Highlights: Focused on removing PET bottles (561 kg) and mixed plastic waste (450 kg), this effort helped improve the fishing environment and coastal hygiene.

Mandaitivu Beach Cleanup (Mar 4, 2025)

Partnered with the 512 Infantry Brigade (Sri Lankan Army).

• Total Waste Collected: 223 kg
• Participants: 150 (110 male, 40 female)
• Highlights: High volunteer turnout made this event a strong community-building effort in addition to an environmental initiative.

Pannai Beach Cleanup (Mar 15, 2025)

Organized with the 49th Batch of the University of Jaffna (Science Faculty).

• Total Waste Collected: 126 kg
• Participants: 70 (25 male, 45 female)
• Highlights: Youth-led initiative emphasizing the role of students in environmental stewardship.

Point Pedro Munai Beach Cleanup (May 16, 2025)

In partnership with Point Pedro Urban Council, supported by 5 sanitary workers.

• Total Waste Collected: 382 kg
• Participants: 40 (19 male, 16 female + 5 Sanitation workers)
• Highlights: Efforts targeted high-density plastic areas and restored part of a key tourist location.

Senthankulam Beach Cleanup (June 17, 2025)

Collaboration with Vali North Pradeshia Sabha, including 5 sanitary workers.

• Total Waste Collected: 360 kg
• Participants: 35 (9 male, 21 female + 5 Sanitation workers)
• Highlights: Focused on heavily littered zones, with over 320 kg of plastic removed.

3. Challenges Faced

• Waste Transport & Sorting: Managing and disposing of collected plastic remains a logistical issue, especially with large quantities of mixed waste.
• Volunteer Management in Remote Areas: In beaches like PPT Munai, accessing and mobilizing volunteers presented difficulty due to distance and transport needs.

4. Impact on the Community

• Environmental Restoration: Over 2,500 kg of plastic and other waste were removed, reducing threats to marine ecosystems and improving public health.
• Youth & Institutional Engagement: Active participation by students, the military, and local councils created stronger ownership and ongoing responsibility among diverse community sectors.

Awareness Boost: Each cleanup included informal educational segments, empowering locals to continue the fight against plastic pollution beyond the events.

5. Plans for Next

• Organize Plastic-Free Week Campaign with school and university partnerships.
• Collaborate with waste management services to improve post-cleanup sorting and recycling.
• Expand the cleanup program to include coastal education workshops in schools.
• Launch a pilot project to install plastic collection bins in public beach zones.. 

6. Thank You

We extend our sincere gratitude to GlobalGiving and our kind donors. Your support has allowed us to turn concerned citizens into active protectors of Sri Lanka’s natural beauty. Together, we are not just cleaning beaches — we are building an environmentally conscious future for our coastal communities.