Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean is back for 2022

Ar gyfer traethau glân a phlaned iachach: join the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean

The Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean is back, running from 16^th – 25^th September 2022.

The charity is calling for volunteers across Wales to join them at the coast for a week of beach cleaning and litter surveying.

The Great British Beach Clean, sponsored by Ireland’s number one soup brand, Cully & Sully, is more than just a clean up. Every year volunteers make note of the litter they collect, sharing the data with the Marine Conservation Society’s experts. This data has supported much-needed policy change on Wales’ journey toward a circular economy, from carrier bag charges to legislation entering the Senedd in the Autumn to ban some single-use plastics.

Last year, volunteers collected nearly 200kg of litter, with an average of 4.14 items found for every metre of beach surveyed across Wales.

Ffion Mitchell, Volunteer Community Engagement Manager (Wales) at the Marine Conservation Society: “Last year, over 500 dedicated volunteers in Wales joined us in cleaning and surveying over 3,700 metres of Welsh coast. This year, we’d love to see even more volunteers get involved. These surveys provide vital evidence, helping us monitor and communicate how bad our pollution problem really is in Wales.”

“The Covid-19 pandemic reconnected so many Welsh communities to our natural environment, reminding us of its importance for our health, wellbeing, livelihoods and happiness. We hope you’ll be inspired to join us during the Great British Beach Clean this year to play your part in protecting our ocean for future generations.”

At last year’s Great British Beach Clean, 82% of all litter collected from Welsh beaches was made from plastic and polystyrene.

From production to disposal, plastic has a direct impact on the ocean’s capacity to combat the climate crisis. Manufacturing plastic contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Most plastic is produced using fossil fuels, meaning more plastic production results in increased carbon emissions. Plastic is also entering the food chain, from tiny phytoplankton to ocean giants, like whales.

Sean Clement, Policy and Advocacy Manager (Wales) at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Wales can address the plastic pollution problem by bringing forward a ban on the supply of the most commonly littered single use plastics – we’re the only part of the UK yet to do so and it’s high time for change.

“All types of pollution have an effect our ocean and all those who rely on it – including us. Thanks to the Great British Beach Clean we’re able to gather data needed to help stop pollution at source. Cleaner beaches lead to cleaner seas, a healthy ocean, and a healthy planet.”

Cullen Allen (Aka Cully) from Cully & Sully said: “We’re delighted to be part of the Great British Beach Clean 2022. We’ve supported beach cleans in Ireland for the past 4 years and are excited about extending our commitments to the Great British Beach Clean. We’re excited to take part and get started, and of course spread the word on the importance of keeping our beaches and public spaces clean”.

Join the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean as an organiser, or volunteer, this year. Sign up via the charity’s website: www.mcsuk.org/greatbritishbeachclean.