Recently, I stood on one of the most remote stretches of Australia’s coastline: East Arnhem Land, the traditional lands of the Yolŋu people. At 40 years old, this was my first time visiting a remote Indigenous community, and I was about to experience something truly transformative.

I travelled there with Sea Shepherd Australia and the Dhimurru Rangers to see firsthand where ocean plastic really ends up. What we found was devastating—and it’s a reality every Australian needs to see. What should have been a pristine wilderness was instead a confronting and overwhelming sight: waste scattered along the beach, as far as the eye could see.

Over the course of the cleanup, we removed the equivalent of 609,833 water bottles' worth of waste from Arnhem Land. Today I’m sharing my experience of this critical cleanup on Yolnu Country, the incredible efforts of the Dhimurru Rangers, and why your choices and impact matter more than ever.

A reality check

The truth hit me hard. These beaches, untouched by roads and far from urban centres, should have been free of rubbish. Instead, we found plastic waste carried thousands of kilometres by ocean currents across the Gulf of Carpentaria.

The uncomfortable truth about ocean waste is that it's a global problem. What we do in one part of the world affects ecosystems thousands of kilometres away. Our oceans are deeply interconnected, and protecting them requires a global approach to sustainability.

Much of the waste we found in Arnhem Land originated in Southeast Asia, but it wasn't just local rubbish. Many of the products were made by Western corporations profiting billions, while their packaging pollutes sacred shores and critical waterways around the world.

The local impact.

Working alongside the Dhimurru Rangers completely changed my perspective. This isn’t just about plastic; it’s about a deep connection to Country. For millennia, the Yolŋu people have carefully managed this ancient coastline, and now the Dhimurru Rangers are tasked with protecting it from modern threats. Over 30% of the debris comes from fishing industry waste, along with single-use bottles, medical waste and everyday items, many likely tied to illegal fishing operations.

Being invited onto their land to help restore it to its natural condition was an immense honour. Australia is home to the world's oldest living culture, yet unfortunately not nearly enough of us really know anything about it—myself included.

What I witnessed.

When plastic washes up on these remote shores, it doesn't just sit there. It becomes brittle, breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces. We saw turtles suffering from "float syndrome," unable to dive for food after ingesting plastic.

The problem goes beyond keeping beaches clean. We have a responsibility to safeguard fragile ecosystems and cultural heritage, and address the root causes of plastic pollution. We can no longer rely on unsustainable habits, especially when it comes to our overconsumption of plastic.

Why this matters for Zero Co.

This cleanup reminded us of exactly why our work is so crucial. By stopping plastic at its source, we prevent it from reaching places like East Arnhem Land. Every Zero Co product you use doesn't just reduce plastic in your home—it funds our ongoing work to stop plastic pollution at its source while we clean up the mess humanity has made.

Why your impact matters.

As guests of Sea Shepherd, this cleanup didn’t count toward our regular impact tally. But it did count for change. It also helped us understand exactly where your everyday choices make a difference. Every Zero Co product you choose helps fund our work to stop plastic at the source, before it can reach pristine places like this.

I left Arnhem Land with a cacophony of emotions: exasperated by the scale and global reach of the waste problem, disheartened by the declining condition of our marine ecosystems, but ultimately hopeful. Hopeful because it's not yet too late. Hopeful because every day, more people are getting involved in the solutions we need.

This isn't just about cleaning up beaches. It's about protecting our coastlines, fragile ecosystems and ancient cultures for generations to come.

And it starts with the choices we make at home, every day.

Thank you for being part of this journey,

Mike Smith

Founder of Zero Co, Speaker & Entrepreneur.