Socio-Environmental Benefits of Beach Cleanups for Tackling Coastal Plastic Pollution

Marine plastic pollution poses a serious and growing threat to Vietnam’s coastal ecosystems, particularly in areas affected by riverine waste inputs. Conducted within the framework of the Less Plastic in Vietnam project, this thesis aimed to quantify the extent, sources and spatial distribution of beach litter at Giao Hai Beach and to evaluate how participation in a cleanup event influenced environmental awareness and behavioural intentions among university students. A mixed-methods approach was used. Field surveys conducted in March and October 2023 assessed litter composition, density and biomass across tidal zones. Plastics were identified and categorized by origin (land-based vs. ocean-based). In parallel, matched pre- and post-cleanup questionnaires (n=73) evaluated changes in students’ knowledge, awareness and behavioural intentions. Giao Hai Beach was found to be severely polluted, with average densities of 17.4 ± 19.6 items m-2 and biomass of 1314.4 ± 1528.7 g m-2. Clean Coastal Index (CCI) scores of 264 (October) and 432 (March) classified the site as “very dirty”. Plastics made up 88.4% of items, with 85–92% attributed to municipal sources, largely transported via the Red River. The most common items were nylon bags, net and ropes, food packaging, plastic fragments and foam buoys. Spatial variability reflected hydrodynamic influences across tidal zones. The survey showed significant post-cleanup gains in knowledge and awareness, and increased motivation to advocate for change, though plastic-reduction intent was already high. In conclusion, Giao Hai Beach represents a critical plastic pollution hotspot. The study highlights the dual role of beach cleanups as tools for environmental data collection and raising public awareness.