YOU would think with pandemic lockdown early in the year and many people still reluctant to travel that there would be less rubbish washed up or left on local beaches.
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However, it appears not even a global pandemic can stop the flow of rubbish.
Monica Mudge from the Take 3 for the Sea initiative said COVID-19 did not give the ocean a break from pollutants.
"The marine debris is still out there," she said.
Eventually, rubbish in the ocean, gets washed up onto many Australian beaches, including ones on the South Coast.
Speaking of rubbish washing up onto the beach, items from the recent massive container spillage are being found on local beaches.
Monica's daughter Sarah, on the weekend, picked up rubbish washed up on a local beach.
Face masks, along with the expected plastic products, were some of the things Sarah picked up.
The number of masks was not too many but Monica said it was still a concern.
"You can't help but wonder about the now mass amounts of medical waste and single-use face masks being used that will potentially be piling up in landfill, '' she said.
"Worse still if not disposed of correctly will end up choking our rivers and waterways.
"Please think about how we can do this better.
"There are lots of alternatives to single-use masks out there.
"Lots of people making very effective washable types.
"There are loads of patterns available to make your own and it would be even better if you can make them from upcycled 100 per cent cotton you are doing an even better job."
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She asks people to please start picking up the masks and record where they find them by using Tangaroa Blue app.
"It's important to know where this cargo is washing up," Monica said
Meanwhile, Monica said during the start of the pandemic people made a short sharp burst towards sustainable living.
However, she added this had now lapsed.
Monica said she is seeing people who never used single-use coffee cups now use them.
She fears these and other disposable items will end up in our waterways.
