The monthly clean-up operation, run in partnership with the American Samoa Power Authority, took place around Pala Lagoon lake in the Western District of the country.

The handball players took time out from court to help gather rubbish and clean-up the area in Pala Lagoon as part of the "Love Your Coast" initiative launched earlier this year.

The campaign, run the ASNOC Sport and Environment Commission, aims to encourage people to take pride in their coastline and get out cleaning.

As well as the ASHA, other National Federations to take part in clean-up operations so far include the American Samoa Basketball Association and the American Samoa Tennis Association.

As part of the project, all the rubbish collected will be weighed and identified, and the information will be used to help educate youngsters on being more environmentally aware.

The clean-up operation took place around the Pala Lagoon lake in the Western District of American Samoa ©Facebook




Speaking about the project earlier this year, ASNOC Sport and Environment Commission chairman Carl Floor, who is leading the campaign, said: "We are going to have the kids do the identifying and weighing so that they can use their skills in math and identification.

"We also want to take some of the kids to see where this trash is taken, and to see what the landfill looks like.

"We want to blend health and environment all into one programme, by doing things like replacing bags of chips with healthy foods like fruits, which in turn will leave less trash on the ground."

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