Rubbish is the new currency in Port Macquarie this weekend at a beach clean up where trash will be exchanged for secondhand goods.
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The annual speed clean is part of this year's Spring Into Scavenge event at Shelly Beach from 9am on Sunday, September 8.
Scavengers will have until 1pm to collect as much rubbish as possible and swap it for redeemable tokens.
Local organiser Karen Fulton said people can sign for the clean up from 9am to 12.30pm on Saturday.
"People arrive and sign in, grab some gloves and a bag which are provided or bring your own," she said.
"They can clean the beach or a waterway, it doesn't necessarily have to be Shelly Beach.
"Afterwards everyone comes back and we help sort through the rubbish that's been collected. We send this data to Australian Marine Debris Initiative."
Every 10 pieces of rubbish collected are exchanged for a token, which can then be used to purchase second hand clothing, books and toys donated by the Port Macquarie community, according to Miss Fulton.
This will be the first time the event is held at Shelly Beach after three outings to Town Beach and one to Westport Park.
Last year's event attracted 176 people and collected 255kg of rubbish.
There will be musicians, public speakers, coffee and food on the day. As well as face painting, henna body art and flower crown workshops.
"There is a prize for the furthermost scavenge, the most rubbish collected by an individual and the most cigarette butts collected by an individual," said Miss Fulton.
"The more rubbish you collect, the more tokens you can get.
"There is a special emphasis on cigarettes because they take about 10 years to decay. They have such a big impact on marine life and so many people smoke at the beach.
"Dropped butts end up in the ocean impacting on fish and turtles."
For more information about this year's Spring into Scavenge CLICK HERE.
The event is supported by the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, Coastal Warriors Mid North Coast, local businesses and community groups.
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