Question 1

What is the Adopt a Spot Scheme?

Accepted Answer

The Adopt A Spot Scheme, (AASS), is a volunteer based environmental group that prevents marine debris through the regular collection and removal of waste.
Volunteers remove rubbish from a self-nominated spot and report key findings with photographic evidence to support.

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Question 2

What do we do with the collected data?

Accepted Answer

Each clean is stored on Facebook in a public photo album by spot. Total findings are collated 3 monthly and shared via an infographic.
All data is sent to local councils and state government to support new waste policies.
AASS also share findings at community and school presentations that centre around sustainable practices and the importance of reducing waste by moving toward a circular economy.

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Question 3

Does Adopt a Spot do Group Cleans?

Accepted Answer

While each volunteer chooses and cares for their individual spot, the scheme does support any larger scale group cleans when requested.

Question 4

How do I adopt a spot?

Accepted Answer

Adopting a spot is easy.
 
Choose a Spot – Select an area you feel passionately about. This can be your local stretch of beach, a park, reserve, community area or school. Our site map pictures current adopted and vacant spots.
 
Register your interest – Email us at adoptaspotscheme@gmail (adoptaspotscheme@gmail.com) with your nominated area.
 
Complete Safety Induction – Return the safety induction paperwork and watch our safety video prior to commencing your first clean. You can find the video on our About page.
 
Start cleaning – Once you have officially adopted your spot and completed the paperwork you are ready to get started on your first clean. Have fun!
 
Capture your results – Remember to take a picture of your findings and share with us either via FB or email. Please include the name of your spot, time spent cleaning and how many people (registered) participated.
 
The pictures and data will be stored in your spots album on our FB page (https://www.facebook.com/adoptaspotscheme)where other adopters can see your findings.
 
While adopters can participate to the level they feel comfortable we kindly ask that our two target items CIGARETTE BUTTS and PLASTIC BOTTLE LIDS are counted or made easily identifiable in the image so we can count these plastics as accurately as possible.
Dispose of your waste – Where possible please separate any recyclable materials collected and dispose of waste appropriately.

Question 5

What happens if I can no longer care for my spot?

Accepted Answer

At Adopt a Spot we understand that circumstances change.
 
If you wish to change spot or can no longer volunteer, we kindly ask you send us an email so we can re-adopt your spot.
 
Rest assured – the album contents are kept and counted in our data collection.
 
Inactive member will be automatically removed after a 3 month period and are no longer covered by AASS insurance.

Question 6

How has the scheme made a difference?

Accepted Answer

• Installation of 63 stainless steel cigarette butt bins throughout the entire coast of Onkaparinga.

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These were funded by the Labour government with the support of Christies beach adopter and local MP Katrine Hildyard.
Holdfast bay funded a further 6 bins along their coast within their council area.
Adopters with a bin are responsible for emptying the butts when doing a clean.

• Supported improvements to the Gross Pollutant Trap at Christies beach based on volunteer data.
 
 • Created and developed a targeted plastics ban promotion video to increase public awareness. This is available to watch on our video page.

• Highlighted plastic pollution and creative solutions via school and community presentations media, radio and print.

• Created a flatlay sorting tarp for schools and community cleans. Available for purchase on request.

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• The Lynch family wrote and designed Carpus the fish an environmental story book, a learning tool for young children.
The story follows Carpus the fish and the impact of plastic pollution and was inspired by another adopters debris art piece. 
These are available to purchase for $20 with all the money reinvested into the scheme.

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• Inspired and supported adopter marine debris art pieces including:
 
Mid Coast plastic debris surfboard – designed as a roaming art piece that aids community and school presentations.

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Carpus the fish - a large scale plastic fish.

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Rope Seahorse - a rope woven piece.

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AASS LOGO themed mural.

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Question 7

What happens with the rubbish AASS collects

Accepted Answer

Each individual adopter is responsible for removal of waste collected.
It is suggested that after photographing your findings you separate the collection into the following categories:

• General waste
 • Recycling
 • Cash recyclables

Items to big, heavy or dangerous can be reported to local council via email or the snap and share application.

Often adopters will repurpose findings into art or specific items such as balls are cleaned and donated to charities such as RSPCA Lonsdale.