Beach cleans
© Lianne de Mello
Floating litter is often ingested by marine wildlife or can lead to entanglement and eventually death. Plastic is non-biodegradable and so causes a particular problem – plastic litter has increased by 135% since 1994 and accounts for 64% of all rubbish found on UK beaches.
What happens to the data collected?
Beach cleans and litter surveys are part of the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Beachwatch Project. It's a great way help keep this beautiful section of shore tidy, while collecting valuable data on litter for MCS. Combining a litter survey with the beach clean is essential in gathering important data on where the litter is coming from and how much of it there is.
Get involved
Join a local beach clean event, organise one yourself, or even do a two minute clean while out for a walk - you'll be amazed at what you'll find.
Picking up a plastic bottle on a Hayling Island beach clean organised by Southern Co-op © Jason Allen / Southern Co-op
Community beach cleans
Look out for beach cleans in your area, organised by individuals, beach clean and litter pick community groups, and organisations like Southern Co-op.
If you can't find one, why not organise on yourself with your family, neighbours or friends. All you need is a rubbish bag, and a pair of gloves or a litter grabber, and ten minutes to spare.
We hope to run a beach clean in September 2018 as part of the Marine Conservation Society Great British Beach Clean weekend.
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Hayling Island beach clean up by Southern Co-op a success
Five beaches are being overhauled as part of a series of beach cleans across the south during Co-operatives Fortnight