Removing plastic from the beaches

It was during the 2000 Formula Windsurfing World Championship in Thailand when riders were catapulted as their fins hit floating plastic bags. Since then, Olympic windsurfing equipment provider Starboard has been working to clean up the region.

In addition to making boards and equipment, Starboard has run a plastic collection program – Starboard’s Plastic Offset Program (POP) – that focuses on collecting all types of plastic from within 50m of the shorelines. Starboard pays teams of collectors to clean the beaches in Myanmar and Thailand.

“The communities we work with are particular vulnerable at the moment, especially in Myanmar where they face the coup and recent earthquake,” reports Ava Hider of Starboard. “Our support in providing income, food, medical supplies, waste management, and education is very much appreciated at this time.”

Starboard directly runs, manages, and funds the program, and has enlisted Italica S.B which supplies the carbon masts for the Olympic iQFOiL windsurfing class. “Italica S.B have helped fund the removal of plastic, and we are hoping to encourage more watersports industries to join,” said Hider. “We have been in discussion with World Sailing to inspire other classes to get involved.

“Our team leader in Myanmar has unfortunately had to turn away community members who are begging to be part of our program as a source of income and stability; however, with more companies joining us and helping fund the program, we can have a larger team and a great impact on lives and the environment.”

For every board Starboard produces, they pick up 1.4kg of plastic waste through their program. Companies can pay 1,200 Euros to support the removal of one ton of plastic and this also helps fund educational and livelihood workshops. For additional information, click here.