FALMOUTH’S Big Spring Clean ran as part of the Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) Million Mile Clean campaign.
Plastic Free Falmouth, SAS staff and volunteers join forces with locals and holidaymakers to clean up Falmouth, walking from the Moor to Gylly Beach, collecting litter and plastic waste.
The Million Mile Clean by Surfers Against Sewage mobilises communities up and down the country to fight plastic pollution by organising local cleans on their beaches, parks and even mountaintops, from Hastings to the Outer Hebrides.
In total, eight large bags of waste were collected, filled with “a lot of general offenders,” says Caroline Willis, communities co-ordinator at Surfers Against Sewage.
She continues: “a lot of the waste collected can be associated with people spending time on the beach now that spring has sprung. We found a lot of cigarette butts, glass bottles, food packaging and dog poo bags. I think the turn of the weather sees more people out enjoying the beaches and not taking home their litter.”
The volunteers also came across the notorious little white bottles that have been washing ashore in Falmouth and on the Helford over the past few months, after what's believed to be a container spill out to sea.
Caroline added: “We used a magnetic pick-up sweeper which found a concerning number of screws and bottle caps just under the sand. This is a popular beach with children, dogs and sports clubs, so it is crucial when having fires or burning pallets people take their waste home.”
As part of the clean, volunteers collect valuable data on what has been found to give a better understanding of what kind of waste is being found in our natural spaces.
Caroline explains: “We can use this information to call out plastic waste offenders and big brands, but also challenge the government on the avoidable plastic pollution in our environment if they stepped up and implemented a deposit return scheme now.”
“It was fantastic to be joined by volunteers from the area, who felt passionate to come out and make a difference to their local beach. We collected eight bags of waste and a ginormous bit of rope! Thanks to everyone who joined.”
On getting involved in the campaign, Caroline adds: “Up and down the country, you can join like-minded people across the UK stepping up to protect the areas they love. Cleans are run by local volunteers and open to anyone with all equipment provided and no need to sign up. Just take a look to find a clean that suits you, show up, and get stuck in!”
More information on the Million Mile Clean can be found here: https://www.sas.org.uk/plastic-pollution/million-mile-clean/find-a-clean-near-you/