WAI Wānaka is hosting a volunteer beach clean-up at Scotts Beach, Lake Hāwea, tomorrow (Sunday May 25) to build on work done at the site last year.

The non-profit community organisation hosted a beach clean-up at the same beach last November and the rubbish collected was sorted and recorded in the Sustainable Coastline’s national Litter Intelligence database.

“Six months later, we’re heading back to clean up the beach area again, to reassess the survey area and track what litter is collected this time around,” WAI Wānaka communications specialist Danielle McNaughton said.

The organisation’s mission to maintain and improve Upper Clutha waterways and sort rubbish into the national database is a meaningful way to support better water health, WAI Wānaka urban lead Jose Cranfield told the Wānaka App.

Rubbish, and particularly plastic, is a major issue in freshwater environments but if it is not measured advocating for better protection is made more difficult, Jose said.

The ever-growing database, because it is collected to a high standard of scientific rigour, has been used to help inform reports and even policy at a national level.

Members of the public are invited to head along (bring gloves) and get involved in the clean-up event, which will run from 10am-12pm.

“Hāwea Store & Kitchen are providing some delicious kai for volunteers,” Danielle said.

“They also have a couple of sauna sessions to give away on the day, thanks to The Secret Sauna.”

Anyone interested can also join a community bike ride from Wānaka out to Scotts Beach.

The group will be departing from Heatwave, Pembroke Mall, at 8am on Sunday.

PHOTO: Supplied