The Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative (PICI) is holding its first annual “Rubbish Round-Up” throughout month of September 2011, with CITC as the main event sponsor.

The “Rubbish Round-Up” will include four underwater and three land-based cleanup events, led by PICI’s Programme Manager, Jess Cramp and Founder, Stephen Lyon.

Land based clean-up events are scheduled for three consecutive Saturdays, from 10am-12pm in the following locations: September 10th, Black Rock/Social Centre (Sponsored by Cook Islands Mercury)—September 17th, Avana Harbor (Sponsored by Pacific Resort) —September 24th, foreshore of Punanga Nui cultural market (Sponsored by Turama Pacific). Rubbish sacks and refreshments will be provided by PICI. All collected rubbish will be weighed and sorted for recycling. All community members interested in volunteering their time are encouraged to participate.

Each Thursday at 1:30pm, throughout the month of September, PICI will hold underwater clean-up events, conducted by Pacific Divers. The cost of the single tank dive is $80, half of which Pacific Divers has agreed to donate to PICI. Each week a different dive site will be cleaned, with rubbish sorted and weighed for record and recycling. All data will be reported to PADI’s Project Aware campaign. All certified divers are welcomed to join! There are still spots open for this Thursday, September 8th at 1:30pm.

Select pieces of rubbish from each clean-up event will be used in an art exhibition to be presented at the Rubbish Round-Up finale on September 30th, details to follow in a later announcement.

The Pacific Islands Conservation Initiative is a charitable trust in the Cook Islands. Its mission is to work in the tropical Pacific to preserve species, habitats and communities through the provision of sound science, establishment of programmes and advocacy for legislative protection.