Welcome to San Stefanos (NW Corfu) => San Stefanos news and views => Topic started by: Andy7 on March 03, 2013, 01:42:48 AM
Title: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Andy7 on March 03, 2013, 01:42:48 AM
Like everyone on this forum I love San Stef beach with its shallow water and wide quiet sands, in general the beach is kept clean by the Greek authorities but last summer I saw some terrible examples of people littering the less used (and rarely cleaned) parts of the beach.
The most disgusting example was someone stuffing dirty nappies under rocks at the far end of the beach near the old harbour but worse still is the area of beach beyond Thomas Boats where the nudist hang out, here its amazing what you can find but I have seen everything from dust bin lids to a rusty bbq!
Much of this stuff is washed up from the sea where idiot boat owners have thrown it overboard but it makes that part of the beach somewhat unpleasant to walk along.
However, not everything is washed up and some thoughtless people throw their rubbish onto the sand thus spoiling the very thing they have come to enjoy! I have seem people throw down plastic water bottles having just walked past a huge bin, it makes you wonder what goes on inside the head of these morons.
I know everyone who uses this forum will respect the environment of San Stef but its disappointing that so many others dont.
I came across a website today that details how long it takes litter to breakdown on a beach or elsewhere in the environment, it makes thoughtful reading:
Time it takes for garbage to decompose in the environment (Information Source: U.S. National Park Service; Mote Marine Lab, Sarasota, FL)
Glass Bottle.......................... 1 million years Monofilament Fishing Line… 600 years Plastic Beverage Bottles…… 450 years Disposable Diapers………… 450 years Aluminum Can..................... 80-200 years Foamed Plastic Buoy……… 80 years Foamed Plastic Cups……… 50 years Rubber-Boot Sole............... 50-80 years Tin Cans……………………. 50 years Leather................................. 50 years Nylon Fabric........................ 30-40 years Plastic Film Container........ 20-30 years Plastic Bag.......................... 10-20 years Cigarette Butt...................... 1-5 years Wool Sock............................ 1-5 years Plywood…………………….. 1-3 years Waxed Milk Carton………… 3 months Apple Core…………………. 2 months Newspaper………………….. 6 weeks Orange or Banana Peel...... 2-5 weeks Paper Towel……………….. 2-4 weeks
Its sobering to think that the next Ice Age will have been and gone by the time that Coke bottle someone threw into the sea finally decomposes!
So for eveyone that loves San Stef we can all do our bit to keep the beach clean by taking our rubbish away and even picking up the litter other thoughtless people have left behind, if we all did a little it would make a big difference.
Andy
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: tonyco1 on March 03, 2013, 06:23:34 AM
Andy - wellm done, good message to send out and shows that as regular visitors there - we show respect for our surroundings.
Shame on those who do not!!
I wonder - though - if Avliotes Council will get to read this and do a thorough clean-up before the season starts and then maintain it.
It is disgusting and totally wrong for anyone to dump rubbish anywhere except in a bin and the nappy bit is a total no-no....
Lets see what happens in 2013.....
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Lesley on March 03, 2013, 12:39:39 PM
There is a group/page on FB called tidying up Corfu which has recently been started and those members are planning to get smaller groups to help around the Corfu resorts prior to the beginning of season re beach and general cleaning as well as anything of course the local authorities have planned.
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Andy7 on March 03, 2013, 06:23:18 PM
There is a group/page on FB called tidying up Corfu which has recently been started and those members are planning to get smaller groups to help around the Corfu resorts prior to the beginning of season re beach and general cleaning as well as anything of course the local authorities have planned.
Hi Lesley,
Sounds like a great idea but whats FB?
I bet I will say 'but of course' when you tell me!
Andy
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: romanza man on March 03, 2013, 06:35:59 PM
Hi Andy Well done on your post. I think you will find that FB refers to Facebook, not been on to that page yet but try it out later. Again well done on your post. Roll on July 15 for our two weeks at the Romanza.
Alan
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Lesley on March 04, 2013, 11:43:07 AM
Yes, sorry I did mean Face Book :-[
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Jimbo on March 04, 2013, 11:50:01 AM
There's plenty of rubbish on there!
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Lesley on March 04, 2013, 08:36:32 PM
Jimbo very true but these people (including yours truly) really want to help encourage more persons here to our lovely island and in times of crisis we all need to help out so all avenues are open to discussions, yes it should be down to local authorities however, on the Arillas Forum there are early PAC in April whom are joining in, the more the merrier......
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Jimbo on March 05, 2013, 01:40:44 AM
To be honest, I've never thought the AS beach to be messy, even at the Nordic nudist end.
Beach beds from Mango include free water AND an ashtray. How posh and sensible is that?
Some of the stupidest and rubbishy postings on Facebook are by me. I can't help it. I've talked to the doctor on LinkedIn and he's made an appointment to see me in July 2015.
We're with you on this. We want the village to prosper and keep its unique friendly character.
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Andy7 on March 07, 2013, 08:58:17 PM
To be honest, I've never thought the AS beach to be messy, even at the Nordic nudist end.
Beach beds from Mango include free water AND an ashtray. How posh and sensible is that?
Some of the stupidest and rubbishy postings on Facebook are by me. I can't help it. I've talked to the doctor on LinkedIn and he's made an appointment to see me in July 2015.
We're with you on this. We want the village to prosper and keep its unique friendly character.
Hi Jimbo,
You should have gone to Spec Savers ;D
Have a closer look next time you go past Thomas Boats, you cant miss the amount of litter about and it always amazes me that some people will be on the sand surrounded by bottles, cans and crisp packets :o
The problem isnt as bad as it could be and the main beach is generally clean, but I have read several negative posts about litter on San Stef beach on Trip Adviser so for some people it is an issue.
I will let everyone know whats its like when Gill and I go out for our pre season trip next month 8)
Andy
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Jimbo on March 08, 2013, 03:18:05 AM
Actually - I went to Vision Express.
I seriously have never thought of it as messy beach. I will inspect it closely in July. For me, it's never been an issue at all.
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: tonyco1 on March 08, 2013, 04:30:04 AM
Maybe the Council will supply extra litter bins at the far end??
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: stressed0506 on March 08, 2013, 09:43:31 PM
I spend a good deal of my time down "the far end" and I must admit that I find the amount of litter and flotsam and jetsam down there quite depressing at times. I do take a carrier bag with me when I go down to "that end" and tend to pick up litter and deposit it in a bin on my way back. It would be great if it was cleaned up.
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Lesley on March 08, 2013, 09:56:14 PM
In my opinion only, I think it is highly unlikely the local council will put in extra bins (Greek Crisis springs to mind) however perhaps a thought that the local owners could provide bins especially those who benefit from those on the beach, just a thought. and all of us can also help be taking our rubbish with us and depositing in the nearest bin such provided??
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: debra on March 09, 2013, 12:34:14 AM
Lets hope people WILL pick up their litter!
I am sitting at home on this freezing cold night with a dismal forecast predicted for next few days and I want to dream of that beautiful beach and the wonderful turquiose sea and warmth and sun and friendly locals NOT THE RUBBISH!!!
and that from a girl who prefers it down the far end!!!
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Jimbo on March 09, 2013, 01:16:16 AM
I spend a good deal of my time down "the far end" and I must admit that I find the amount of litter and flotsam and jetsam down there quite depressing at times. I do take a carrier bag with me when I go down to "that end" and tend to pick up litter and deposit it in a bin on my way back. It would be great if it was cleaned up.
Thank God for this post, I was beginning to think I had imagined the litter on the far end beach!
Yes, it is depressing but its great to hear that other people are willing to help out by picking it up instead of walking on by and pretending it doesnt exist.
Well done you!
As Lesley said its not realistic to expect the Greek authorities to do anything, they just dont have the resources. Its down to the tourist not to drop litter and its down to the regular's of San Stef to take pride in OUR resort and help keep it clean.
Andy
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: debra on March 09, 2013, 11:01:37 AM
JIMBO! Of course you understood I met down the far end of beautiful Ag Stef's long beach!!!
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Jimbo on March 09, 2013, 03:00:42 PM
Here's a suggestion:
Lesley finds out how much it would cost to have a litter bin up the nudey end. We then start a subscription fund, say £5 each, and donate a bin, with a suitable inscription: "Donated by the Friends of Agios Stefanos."
Or, given its location: "Stick your rubbishy bits in here!"
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Jimbo on March 09, 2013, 03:48:23 PM
In case any new people are worried by this thread I suggest you look at this video of a walk along the beach.
There is not one scrap of rubbish in sight.
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Waspman on March 09, 2013, 06:52:48 PM
In case any new people are worried by this thread I suggest you look at this video of a walk along the beach.
There is not one scrap of rubbish in sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5SePwwS8Kc
Just watched this video, I'm sure I saw that short grey haired guy with the baseball cap flick something into the sea, I'll be keeping my eye out for him next time!
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Andy7 on March 09, 2013, 08:11:43 PM
In case any new people are worried by this thread I suggest you look at this video of a walk along the beach.
There is not one scrap of rubbish in sight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5SePwwS8Kc
Wrong Jimbo ;D
1min 49 secs in you walked past a large water bottle stuck in sand, clearly visible to your left!
Also, it was difficult to see the state of the sand near the cliffs where most of the rubbish tends to gather.
I am certainly not trying to put people off visiting San Stef beach, most of it is clean but the nudy bit is not.
Andy
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: debra on March 09, 2013, 10:02:16 PM
I love this video - didn't realise it was yours Jimbo - I watch it to cheer me up as I do the same walk many, many times when I am there.
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: stressed0506 on March 10, 2013, 05:24:40 PM
Iwould hate to put anyone off ! The majority of the beach is amazingly clean considering the number of people who use it and the state of the greek economy. The guys who run all of the sun bed concessions really do their part and the fact that many of them help by providing ash trays means that if you are on a sun bed you do not have other peoples' disgusting fag ends to deal with. However the very far end really does get tatty. It's a price I am prepared to pay for my all over tan, but I often have to clear an area of "stuff" before I put my towel/mat down. The vast majority of the rubbish has obviously been brought in by the tide, not left by users of the beach. I am aware that the sunbed guys have no incentive to clean up that end and would not expect them to. So I will carry on carrying my carrier bag and trying to do my bit. <(sits back and awaits puns.)
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Sellsy on March 11, 2013, 01:02:25 PM
As we often stay at the Romanza we use the cliff path and usually stay at the cliff end of the beach where the last set of sunbeds end. If memory serves this is the last binned area of the beach. This is often full but seems to be cleared every other day or so ( peak season ) Got to be honest though I cant recall seeing a major litter problem around the cliff area. The one thing I do see is people searching for the softer clay like stones (at the waters edge near the cliffs) and then covering themselves with the stuff. I can only guess this is a some form of miracle /anti wrinkle /rejuvenating treatment? ( anyone know / tried this? ) It must work because everyone at that end of the beach appear to be carefree and in good spirits!
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Gavlah1973 on March 11, 2013, 01:24:48 PM
Sellsy..... rub some Kumquat all over yourself......will deffo attract the birds (and maybe a few wasps!)
And clear away your old Y fronts off the beach. Ta!!
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: Jimbo on March 11, 2013, 02:28:44 PM
The water-bottle in the sand was obviously tidal stuff. Given the prevailing NE winds, this is inevitable. I will make a rubbish video in July. Mind you, they mostly are rubbish!
Title: Re: Litter & Rubbish On San Stef Beach
Post by: tonyco1 on March 27, 2013, 02:38:23 AM
The water-bottle in the sand was obviously tidal stuff. Given the prevailing NE winds, this is inevitable. I will make a rubbish video in July. Mind you, they mostly are rubbish!