Atlas Copco teams up with Coastal Ghost to clean up SA's beaches!
As an environmentally conscious company, Atlas Copco avidly supports initiatives that promote a cleaner and more sustainable environment. Upon hearing about the Coastal Ghost initiative to clean 2 780 kms of South Africa’s beaches and coastline on RSG radio, Atlas Copco was fully on board. Coastal Ghost, an NGO founded by Stefan Graunke, is focused on environmental conservation with the objective to ‘not only clean up beaches, but to inspire the nation to make a change’. With the goal to clean 50 beaches stretching from Richards Bay on the East Coast to Port Nolloth on the West Coast, Stefan and his three Border Collies kicked off the first cleaning initiative on a beach in KwaZulu-Natal in February 2019. Taking the clean-up drive inland, the Ghost Team launched a new project, Bot2Bot which involves the cleaning up of areas such as Fourways and Broadacres, Johannesburg. In a bid to educate learners on how to care for the country’s beaches and oceans, Coastal Ghost includes learners from coastal communities in its clean-up projects. “Sustainability is a core value at Atlas Copco and with pollution affecting us all, we are extremely proud to be part of a movement that actively cares for the environment and encourages environmental awareness,” states Atlas Copco Compliance Manager, Marilyn Govender. Atlas Copco’s contribution includes a monetary donation from the company’s enterprise development fund as well as staff participation. In February 2020, employees from the company’s SHEQ and Communications departments will be rolling up their sleeves to help clean up pollution on some of Durban’s beaches. As this project provides an invaluable learning experience, the Atlas Copco team is eager to involve schools in the immediate area and extend an invitation to the public to participate. “We believe that learners, as the next generation who will ultimately have to deal with future environmental issues, should be the ones taking responsibility for the environment and spreading this mind-set,” affirms Marilyn. “Pollution ultimately ends up in our oceans, affecting the fragile marine eco-system so Atlas Copco is keen to do its part for the well-being of the environment which is to the benefit of all life on earth.”
