Joel Davies, a 32-year-old environmentalist, spends his days cleaning up Sydney beaches and educating people about the importance of recycling. He starts his day by making coffee in exchange for buckets of rubbish collected from beachgoers. Davies separates recyclable materials and disposes of the waste, ensuring the beaches remain clean. Plastics are the most common form of litter collected from Sydney beaches, with stormwater run-off and ocean currents contributing to the problem. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Heins praises volunteers like Davies for their efforts in keeping the beaches clean.
Despite the time and money he invests in his mission, Davies does not judge those responsible for littering the beaches. He estimates that he has spent $100,000 of his own savings on his environmental organization, Emu Parade. Davies used to run a cafe but sold it in 2019 to pursue his passion for cleaning up the beaches. He hopes to expand his litter collection efforts beyond the northern beaches and dreams of having a fleet of vehicles equipped with espresso machines to incentivize people to collect rubbish in exchange for free coffee.
Davies found solace in cleaning up the beaches after feeling distressed by the amount of trash he encountered while planning to go surfing. He describes the act of picking up rubbish as a cathartic experience that made him feel better about his impact on the world. Despite the financial cost and the lack of direct benefits, Davies remains dedicated to his cause. He sees cleaning up the beaches as a way to make a positive difference and help protect the environment for future generations.
Davies acknowledges that his efforts may not solve pollution entirely, but he hopes to raise awareness about the issue and inspire others to take action. He believes that avoiding single-use plastics and disposable packaging is key to preventing pollution on the beaches. By providing a tangible example of how easy it is to collect and dispose of litter, Davies hopes to encourage more people to take responsibility for their actions and protect the environment. His long-term ambition is to expand his initiative to other areas and create a lasting impact on beach cleanliness.
While some may see Davies’ work as a thankless task, he finds fulfillment in his mission to clean up beach pollution. His dedication to the cause stems from a deep sense of personal satisfaction and a desire to make a positive impact on the world. By investing his time and resources into cleaning up the beaches, Davies hopes to inspire others to take action and protect the environment. Despite the challenges and costs involved, Davies remains committed to his cause and continues to work tirelessly to keep Sydney beaches clean and free of litter.
