Clean our beaches like Prince Harry and Meghan

Helping Our Beaches — Like Harry and Meghan

When the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Australia, one of their first stops was a South Melbourne beach. They weren’t there for the sunshine — they were there to talk rubbish.

Prince Harry and Meghan met with Beach Patrol volunteers and local school children to discuss how litter on Melbourne’s beaches affects marine ecosystems, wildlife, and the food chain — and what can be done to stop it.

For many Australians, it was a defining moment. Seeing global figures like Harry and Meghan rolling up their sleeves beside local volunteers reminded us that caring for the environment is something everyone can take part in — from world leaders to nine-year-olds picking up straws in the sand.

Why Celebrity Voices Matter

Celebrity influence can shift behaviour faster than any policy or campaign. The Duke and Duchess used their platform to shine a spotlight on plastic pollution — one of the most pressing environmental challenges facing Australia’s coastlines.

According to the Tangaroa Blue Foundation, over 2.6 million pieces of debris were collected from Australian beaches in just two years, with roughly 75% of that being plastic. That’s not just litter — it’s a symptom of a larger global issue affecting our oceans, marine life, and human health.

Plastic Pollution: More Than Meets the Eye

When we think of beach litter, we picture bottles, bags, and straws. But the real danger is often invisible — microplastics. These tiny fragments break down from larger pieces of waste and are now found in nearly every corner of the ocean.

As young beachgoer Zoe Cartlidge explained to Harry and Meghan, “The fish eat the plastics — and we eat the fish.”

She’s right. Studies show microplastics have entered our food chain, our drinking water, and even the air we breathe. It’s a sobering reminder that marine pollution isn’t just an environmental issue — it’s a public health one.

The State of Australia’s Beaches

Australia’s beaches are part of our national identity. They support tourism, recreation, and local economies — but they’re also under pressure. Plastic waste travels from cities, storm drains, and waterways, eventually washing up on our coastlines or circulating endlessly in the ocean.

While volunteers and community groups are making incredible progress, the problem can’t be solved by clean-ups alone. It requires innovation, behaviour change, and collective effort from businesses, governments, and everyday Australians.

Innovation in Action: The Seabin Project

When surfers Andrew Turton and Pete Ceglinski became frustrated by the plastic pollution they saw every day, they decided to do something about it. Their invention — the Seabin — works like a rubbish bin for the ocean, filtering out floating debris, oil, and plastics from marina and harbour waters.

Each Seabin can capture up to 1.5 kilograms of debris per day — the equivalent of removing over half a tonne of waste each year. Today, Seabins are deployed in more than 50 countries, quietly cleaning marinas and waterways across the globe.

But as the founders often remind us, “The Seabin is not the solution — it’s a tool.” The real solution lies in stopping waste before it reaches the water.

How You Can Help — Inspired by Harry and Meghan

You don’t need royal status to make a difference. Every individual action, multiplied by millions, creates meaningful change. Here’s how you can start:

1. Ditch the Plastic Straw

When asked what rubbish he thought was most common on the beach, Prince Harry guessed correctly — plastic straws.

Marine biologist Nicole Nash founded the Last Straw on the Great Barrier Reef campaign to raise awareness about single-use plastics. Her message is simple: “Every straw you’ve ever used still exists somewhere.”

Switch to paper, bamboo, or metal straws, or skip them entirely. It’s a small change that collectively prevents millions of unnecessary plastics from entering the ocean.

2. Bring Your Own Bags

Plastic grocery bags take anywhere from 10 to 1,000 years to decompose. With supermarkets phasing them out, it’s easier than ever to carry reusable fabric or jute bags instead.

This single habit has an enormous impact. By reusing bags, you’re not only reducing waste but also sending a powerful message that convenience doesn’t have to come at the cost of the environment.

3. Choose Reusable Packaging

Cooking at home instead of relying on takeaway is good for both your health and the planet. It cuts down on single-use containers, cutlery, and plastic wraps that often end up as beach litter.

If you do get takeaway, bring your own containers or choose venues that use compostable or recyclable packaging. Small shifts in consumer choices drive big changes in industry behaviour.

4. Volunteer or Adopt a Beach

Harry and Meghan’s beach visit wasn’t just symbolic — it celebrated the everyday heroes who take action. Joining groups like Beach Patrol, Tangaroa Blue, or Clean Up Australia Day connects you with others making a difference in their local communities.

Volunteering builds awareness, inspires others, and strengthens the social connection that drives long-term change.

At Nationwide Waste Solutions, our own team gets involved each year in Clean Up Australia Day, helping to keep our local areas clean, safe, and beautiful.

Why Marine Health Matters to Everyone

Our oceans produce more than half the world’s oxygen, regulate climate, and sustain billions of people through food and livelihoods. Yet, they’re suffocating under the weight of waste.

Plastic pollution harms marine life through ingestion and entanglement, disrupts coral reef health, and threatens coastal biodiversity. The more plastic that enters the ocean, the harder it becomes to restore balance.

By protecting marine environments, we’re protecting ourselves — ensuring cleaner water, healthier seafood, and a sustainable planet for future generations.

Leading the Way in Sustainable Waste Management

Nationwide Waste Solutions is proud to be part of the change. As a national waste and recycling broker, we help businesses reduce waste, increase recycling rates, and divert materials from landfill through smarter, more sustainable systems.

Whether you’re a café reducing plastic straw use, a hospital managing clinical waste, or a corporate group looking to improve ESG outcomes — we connect you with tailored, cost-effective solutions that make a measurable difference.

Together, we can move beyond clean-ups to create circular waste systems that prevent pollution in the first place.

A Royal Reminder

When Prince Harry recalled how his father would encourage him to pick up rubbish on the beach, it wasn’t about royal duty — it was about respect. Respect for the environment, for the community, and for the generations who will inherit what we leave behind.

So next time you’re walking along Australia’s iconic coastline, take a cue from the Duke and Duchess: pick up that stray bottle cap, refuse the plastic straw, and keep our beaches beautiful.

Because protecting our marine environment isn’t just noble — it’s necessary.

Let’s work together for cleaner oceans and a more sustainable Australia.
📞 Call 1300 729 922 to learn how Nationwide Waste Solutions can help your business reduce waste and support a healthier planet.