How This Vasai Couple Is Making Mumbai Beaches Plastic-Free
In 2017, what was supposed to be a relaxing day by the sea, turned into an eye-opener for Lisbon and his family. Along with his wife, Zsuzsanna Salda, and their two young children, Lisbon had planned a day of sandcastle building and wave-chasing. But the reality awaiting them on the shore was far from idyllic.
Instead of golden sands and clean tides, the beach was littered with heaps of plastic bags, bottles, and discarded packaging. Watching his children innocently pick up pieces of trash to play with struck Lisbon deeply.
“When I was their age, a trip to the beach meant pure joy. But seeing my kids surrounded by plastic waste made me realise they wouldn’t carry the same fond memories,” Lisbon recalled. He felt compelled to protect not only their experience but the environment itself.
A pact to take action
Determined to make a difference, Lisbon and Zsuzsanna decided to take the first step themselves. Each visit to the beach began with collecting as much garbage as they could carry and disposing of it in designated dry waste bins.
The effort soon grew beyond their family. Lisbon shared their experience on Facebook, inviting friends and neighbors to join a community clean-up. The response was encouraging, motivating him to formalise the initiative.
Today, schools and colleges organise beach clean-up drives with Vasai Beach Cleaners and also organise awareness programs to reduce the use of plastic that is harming both, human and marine lives.
The birth of Vasai beach cleaners
Under the name Vasai Beach Cleaners, Lisbon launched a volunteer-driven group dedicated to restoring the beaches along the Vasai coastline. The mission was simple yet powerful: create cleaner shores where birds, marine life, and local ecosystems can flourish without the threat of plastic pollution.
Since its inception, the group has removed tonnes of plastic and other waste materials from Mumbai’s beaches. Their consistent efforts have inspired numerous residents to step up and participate.
A community spirit rooted in learning and enjoyment
An essential part of Vasai Beach Cleaners’ success has been the open, welcoming approach toward volunteers.
Participants are also encouraged to observe carefully: noting where garbage accumulates, understanding the sources of pollution, and learning how long different materials take to degrade.
Along with making the beaches plastic-free, Lisbon and team also contributes to plantation, clothes donation and plastic re-cycling.
The growing need for beach clean-ups
Lisbon also noted that the beach drives happen every sunday yet, there is the same amount of waste that washes up the shore, even more sometimes. "Every individual should take responsibility for clean-ups. Think of it like taking a bath everyday. It is essential right? So is cleaning mother nature for us and for the future generations." Today with over 20,000 volunteers, Lisbon and his wife's initiative has helped clear around 850 ton of waste and they have also recycled around 1o tons of plastic.
Coastal pollution remains a major concern in India, with Mumbai’s beaches often choked by plastic carried in by tides and left behind by visitors. According to recent environmental studies, nearly 80% of marine litter originates from land-based sources. Initiatives like Vasai Beach Cleaners highlight the impact that consistent, community-led action can have in reversing this damage.
Lisbon’s story proves that a simple decision to pick up trash can transform into a movement capable of creating lasting change. If you’d like to participate, consider reaching out to local clean-up groups or starting your own. Every bag of waste removed brings us a step closer to healthier oceans and safer habitats for wildlife.
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