Advertisement
Become a member of the Big Issue community
JOIN
Environment

This is how you can fight plastic pollution in the UK's biggest beach clean

Surfers Against Sewage will help people across the country clear plastic pollution from up to a million miles of UK beaches and rivers

More than half of Brits think plastic pollution has grown during the Covid-19 crisis

More than half of Brits think plastic pollution has grown during the Covid-19 crisis. Image: Pexels

As many as 100,000 volunteers could help clean up one million miles of beach, land and river in a year-long crackdown on plastic pollution and litter.

The Million Mile Clean, created by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage, is aimed at getting the public to take care of nature as the country emerges from lockdown.

Here’s what you need to know if you want to get involved.

How will the Million Mile Clean cut plastic pollution?

Surfers Against Sewage will support up to 100,000 volunteers to walk – and clean up waste from – ten miles each over the next year, with the first week of action set for May 15.

It will be the country’s biggest ever coordinated beach clean.

How can I get involved in the Million Mile Clean?

Those who want to get involved can find their local event on a dedicated beach clean website, and are encouraged to track their distances – therefore areas cleaned – using apps such as Strava. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

You can track down and join your local beach clean, or organise one yourself if there isn’t one nearby. 

Surfers Against Sewage will provide all the resources you need including an interactive map to promote your clean, materials to advertise the clean and the charity will even cover you with its public liability insurance.

Register your clean to receive a free beach clean kit, containing all the equipment you’ll need for 30 volunteers to get involved in cleaning up your area. And don’t forget to submit your results – including how many people took part, how much plastic pollution you picked up, the worst offending products and the distance you covered – after your clean.

How bad is plastic pollution in the UK?

Up to 2.2 million metric tonnes of plastic waste is generated in the UK each year. Plus more than half of Brits think plastic pollution has grown during the Covid-19 crisis, according to a survey of 2,000 UK adults commissioned by Surfers Against Sewage. 

More than a fifth of respondents were buying more single-use plastic during the pandemic, the research showed, with many purchasing disposable masks.

“The ocean is under threat and we are running out of time to save it,” said Hugo Tagholm, chief executive of the organisation.

“We want to inspire an army of ocean activists to join the cause and put an end to plastic pollution in the UK. “

Why else should I get involved?

The mammoth clean-up effort will also help boost people’s mental and physical health, Tagholm said, after more than 40 per cent of adults surveyed for the charity’s research said lockdown had impacted their mental wellbeing.

It is “crucial” for people to “reconnect with the outdoors”, according to professor Sabine Pahl – a University of Plymouth social scientist working on the psychological benefits of nature – who backed the Million Mile Beach Clean as an opportunity for thousands to do something for their health

“Making the connection between mental health and conservation is key in mobilising communities in the right way,” said Gillian Burke, a leading biologist and wildlife presenter, who called the challenge “ambitious” and “physical”.

“100,000 volunteers, each cleaning 10 miles of beach or river or street or mountain – the impact speaks for itself,” she added.

Advertisement

Become a Big Issue member

3.8 million people in the UK live in extreme poverty. Turn your anger into action - become a Big Issue member and give us the power to take poverty to zero.

Recommended for you

View all
Sewage pollution levels in this river are 100 times safe 'limits'. The fight is now on to clean it up
Sewage pollution

Sewage pollution levels in this river are 100 times safe 'limits'. The fight is now on to clean it up

Lessons from the Middle East – 'the epicentre of climate discourse' – for a warming planet
Climate change

Lessons from the Middle East – 'the epicentre of climate discourse' – for a warming planet

A 'truly catastrophic' flood could be just around the corner, experts warn. We need to adapt – fast
Floods

A 'truly catastrophic' flood could be just around the corner, experts warn. We need to adapt – fast

Could banning cars turn London's Oxford Street from 'hell' into paradise?
London

Could banning cars turn London's Oxford Street from 'hell' into paradise?

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Cost of living payment 2024: Where to get help now the scheme is over

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know