62 volunteers from County Kildare gear up for the Big Beach Clean 2023

A total of 62 Clean Coast (CC) volunteers from Kildare are preparing for this year's Big Beach Clean.

The volunteers will be joined by six groups, according to CC, which is is a charity programme run through the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce.

Speaking ahead of the event, CC said: "Statistics show that 70 per cent of litter in our ocean comes from land-based activities.

"Litter from towns and cities can get into our waterways and stream, or get caught on the wind and travel out the coast and become marine litter. 

"For this reason, wherever you are in the country, we can all have an incredibly positive effect on our natural environment and coast by cleaning up our local spaces."

Supported by Cork-based business Cully and Sully, the Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup organised by the Ocean Conservancy, and it entails an annual call-to-action for individuals, families, and communities to join forces to carry out a clean-up at the end of the bathing season and join a worldwide citizen science project.  

Cully and Sully describe themselves as 'renowned sea lovers and sustainability supporters', have said that they 'are thrilled to join Clean Coasts once again in supporting the Big Beach Clean.'

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PREVIOUS EVENTS

In 2022, more than 500 clean-up events were organised, with participants removing an astounding 42 tonnes of litter from Irish coastal areas and inland locations.

With CC celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, organisers have said tat the 2023 Big Beach Clean 'aims to surpass all expectations and make an even bigger impact.'

They also pointed out that the results of the annual survey of coasts and inland waterways by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) have recently been released: "These results show that, for the first time since IBAL started its coastal surveys in 2017, no area was classified as a litter blackspot in 2023.

"However, despite a summer marked by lower visitor numbers due to unsettled conditions, the study of 33 locations nationwide unveils that the majority of beaches still fall short of attaining a clean status.

"Volunteers around Ireland who wish to get involved but didn’t register, can still do so, by joining an existing public clean-up."

Among the events organised, Maynooth Tidy Towns will be hosting a clean-up open to the public.

A list of public clean-ups happening in County Kildare as part of the Big Beach Clean can be found on the official CC website. 

Joining forces with the An Taisce National Spring Clean programme, the Big Beach Clean encourages residents from all corners of Ireland to participate.

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CITIZEN SCIENTIST OPPORTUNITY

In addition, CC is this year encouraging volunteers to focus on the importance of submitting information regarding litter removed — "By recording the amount and types of litter collected, volunteers contribute to a comprehensive overview of the marine litter problem," organisers explained.

They added that he information collected is used to shape CC's campaigns, events and resources for volunteers, initiating targeted actions against the top litter offenders: "For instance, in 2022, the top three items recorded during the Big Beach Clean weekend were cigarette butts, plastic food wrappers and plastic pieces.

"These results were a starting point for the development of the Clean Coasts Anti-Smoking Litter campaign, as well as the creation of new resources for the Break Up With Plastic campaign.

"Furthermore, data collected are shared with Ocean Conservancy, who will use the information received to create reports and advocate around the world to tackle ocean trash at a global scale."

Moreover, in conjunction with Cully and Sully, CC will be hosting a flagship event on Friday, September 15 from 10.30am to 12.30pm in Youghal Redbarn Beach in Cork.

The duo will be providing refreshments and kit for supporters who attend.

Colum O’Sullivan, aka Sully, said: "As big fans of the sea, we’re thrilled to be sponsoring the Big Beach Clean for a fourth year. It’s not just about giving our beaches a good combing over after the busy summer months."

"As we clean the beaches and waterways, we’re all being reminded how important it is to dispose of and recycle our waste properly," he added.

Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager, also commented:  "Join us in the Big Beach Clean 2023 and be part of a powerful movement to protect our coastlines; together, we'll create a cleaner, healthier environment for all."