Auckland Airport has led its sixth costal cleanup with Mangere College students as part of the ‘Love Your Coast Manukau Harbour’ campaign.
The campaign was created by one of the airport’s firefighters, and brought together 22 students and teachers from the nearby college, 24 airport staff, and representatives from national charity Sustainable Coastlines Trust who helped facilitate the educational session, cleanup and barbecue.
This year’s event collected 1,200 liters of rubbish, much of which airport staff will be able to recycle, and collectors found a range of surprises including a cricket bat, a wheel and a commercial bread delivery tray.
Anna Cassels-Brown, Auckland Airport’s general manager for people and safety, said, “We’re constantly amazed at the things our staff and students find during our annual coastal cleanup. Our airport coastline is a restricted security area and not accessible to the public, so this event always brings some surprises.
“A few years ago we found a handbag full of credit cards that had been stolen in the late 1980s. That’s a long time for something to be washing around in the harbor and, like the rest of the rubbish we find, it’s much better for the environment that we pick it up and dispose of it properly.”