The effectiveness of a community education programme in reducing litter pollution on shores of Ambon Bay (eastern Indonesia)

A beach clean-up event stimulated members of coastal villages to clean shores of domestic waste for a period of at least six months afterwards A beach clean-up event, which was based on four coastal villages in Ambon Bay (eastern Indonesia), was effective in removing litter from shores. The event was also successful in changing the behaviour of villagers because they continued to keep shores clean for a period of at least six months afterwards. However, long-term success is unlikely because shores become polluted with litter from distant sources, particularly the city of Ambon. The solution will probably require: (i) a concerted education campaign involving all coastal villages and Ambon city; and (ii) effective garbage disposal systems.