A clean-up run by not-for-profit group Co- Exist Byron Bay and Byron Shire Council in early December saw 27 kilograms of litter collected across Main Beach and Apex Park.
It was a significant amount given the rubbish items were small and light, mainly cans and bottles, single-use plastic water bottles, takeaway containers and packaging, wristbands and more than 400 cigarette butts.
"We were really disappointed to see the amount of litter and much of it would have ended up in the ocean if it wasn't intercepted by the volunteers and clean-up crew" Anika Brown, Byron Shire Council's Litter Prevention Officer said.
"Most people, visitors and locals, really value our beaches and natural environment but it takes a collective effort to keep litter out of the ocean, waterways and parks and beaches.
"Everyone can help by picking up litter they see and either taking it home or putting it in a public bin," Ms Brown said.
Dog poo bags are another problem.
"People are using the bags to pick up dog poo in the leash-free areas which is great but leaving them on the beach or high in the dunes is contributing to more plastic in our environment and the ocean and this is terrible for birds, turtles and other animals," Ms Brown said.
"Many of the dog poo bags are not compostable so leaving them on the shore is the same as throwing a plastic bag on the beach – dog poo bags always go in the red bin.
"I know some people put the poo bag down on the beach with the intention of getting it on the way back but often they forget."
Make this Christmas a year where you give a present to the environment and pick up your rubbish, or any that you might see, and bin ya ciggie butts.
