IF you don’t throw your trash properly, the next time you see it, it might be floating on the beach where you and your family have decided to go for a swim. Chances are, some of the trash might be ingested by marine animals that live there.

These are among the lessons the volunteers and other participants have learned in the fourth annual coastal cleanup organized recently by SM Land’s Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. They saw for themselves the various types of trash that ended up at sea. There were plastic wrappers of candies, cookies and detergents—and even used diapers.

“These trash are mostly from Cavite and are washed ashore whenever the monsoon season rolls around,” said Rona Torres-Tan, senior vice president of Coasta del Hamilo Inc. in an interview.

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines said the wrappers and trash made of plastic take a long time to break down and when it does, it is almost always ingested by marine animals. These marine animals, including fish species, are eaten by humans.

“These plastic trash are dangerous to marine animals. Plastic wrappers [that have broken down] are usually eaten by fish,” said Gregg Yan, WWF spokesman, in a speech before the start of the cleanup.

On its web site, Ocean Conservancy noted that countless marine mammals and sea turtles get sick and are killed or injured due to various debris thrown into the sea. These animals are poisoned or get entangled in the trash people throw away.

To ensure that these trash don’t find its way into the marine ecosystem, Ocean Conservancy organizes the International Coastal Cleanup every September.

Hamilo Coast and WWF Philippines have been participating in this international effort since 2008.

Volunteers during the September 17 cleanup in Batangas were divided into three groups, which combed the marine protected coastlines of Hamilo Coast’s Pico de Loro and Santelmo Cove for both biodegradable and nonbiodegradable trash.

WWF Philippines also conducted a lecture to educate the volunteers about the importance of fighting pollution and preserving the environment as well as natural wildlife.

Tan said it is important to preserve Hamilo Coast because it is part of the Verde Island Passage of the Coral Triangle, known as the “center of marine biodiversity in the world.”

Hamilo Coast’s 5,800 hectares of natural beauty is spread across forests, mountains, 13 coves and 25 kilometers of clear coastline.

Under SM Land’s master plan, no more than 1,800 hectares will be developed into various communities, leaving the rest untouched to “allow nature to flourish.”

To ensure Hamilo Coast’s sustainability, SM Land partnered with WWF Philippines to develop projects in the areas of coastal resource management, solid-waste management and renewable energy.

One of the projects that have already been launched by Hamilo Coast and WWF is the coastal regeneration program, which was rolled out in 2008. The coastal cleanup is one of the activities under this program.

“Preserving the coast’s natural beauty is foremost among our priorities. Since we started the coastal regeneration program in 2008, we have seen considerable improvement in Hamilo’s marine life,” Tan said.

Company officials noted the presence now of soft corals and an increase in the number and variety of fishes in the area, including jacks, snappers and groupers.  Tan noted that puffer fish had once again made Hamilo Coast as its home, while sea turtles lay their eggs along its coastline.

“These are good indications of the health and cleanliness of Hamilo’s marine environment,” said Tan.

SM Land hopes that through its activities, such as the coastal cleanup, it could encourage residents in Batangas and nearby areas to be more conscious of the need to dispose of their trash properly.

Through Hamilo Coast, SM Land is hoping to make a case for environment protection and preservation.

Meanwhile, on the Clean Up the World Weekend, held annually during the third weekend of September, held in partnerships with the United Nations Environment Programme, Asean Centre for Biodiversity Executive Director Rodrigo U. Fuentes said humans are responsible for the major environmental crises that we experience today but humans are also the solution.

“Positive human action for the environment, through Clean Up the World activities, can restore the health of our environment, particularly our rich but highly threatened biodiversity.”