Waves of plastic pollution spoil the

Dominican Republic's shores

21 JUL 2018

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A 500 strong team of conservationists, locals and the navy has cleared around

60 tonnes of plastic. But the waves of rubbish washed up on the shores every

day. The problem could affect tourism to the island, as well as endanger

marine and bird life.

Workers from the Ministry of Public Works and Comunication (MOPC), collect garbage from the beaches of Güibia, Montesino and next to the female Obelisk in the Malecon area, in Santo Domingo on July 16, 2018. (AFP)

The Dominican Republic is cleaning up up tonnes of plastic that has spoilt its

Caribbean shores, as authorities try to stem the tide of pollution washing up daily.

Workers from the Ministry of Public Works and Comunication (MOPC), collect garbage from the beaches of Güibia, Montesino and next to the female Obelisk in the Malecon area, in Santo Domingo on July 16, 2018. (AFP)

A team of conversationists from the Parley group has been working with the local

navy, Santo Domingo authorities and locals for the job. According to officials, they

have already scooped an estimated 60 tonnes of plastic.

Workers from the Ministry of Public Works and Comunication (MOPC), collect garbage from the beaches of Güibia, Montesino and next to the female Obelisk in the Malecon area, in Santo Domingo on July 16, 2018. (AFP)

More than 500 people have been recruited for the job but waves of new plastic

trash appear on a daily basis.

Workers from the Ministry of Public Works and Comunication (MOPC), collect garbage from the beaches of Güibia, Montesino and next to the female Obelisk in the Malecon area, in Santo Domingo on July 16, 2018. (AFP)

The Dominican Republic is a tourist hotspot that is famous for its golden Caribbean

beaches and unspoilt natural paradise. The waves of plastic not only damage the

reputation of the island nation but could kill marine and bird life who become

entangled in the trash.

Workers from the Ministry of Public Works and Comunication (MOPC), collect garbage from the beaches of Güibia, Montesino and next to the female Obelisk in the Malecon area, in Santo Domingo on July 16, 2018. (AFP)

Not just a problem for the Dominican Republic, environmentalists say plastic is

emerging as a major issue for seas and oceans across the world. Environmental

group Parley estimates that at least 5 trillion pieces of plastic weighing over 250,000

tonnes are flowing in the world's oceans.

Link: https://www.trtworld.com/life/waves-of-plastic-pollution-spoil-the-dominican-republic-s-

shores-19046