To mark the return of the Marine Conservation Society’s Great British Beach Clean, which runs from the 19 – 28 September, the charity shares perspectives from beach clean volunteers – the individuals driving positive change for our ocean.
Research by the Marine Conservation Society found that 74% of respondents report an increase in beach litter during the summer, with a broad consensus that increased visitor numbers, and a gap in public awareness around the environmental impacts, are likely drivers. Volunteers repeatedly shared a clear, consistent message: take it home and bin it.
To turn this message into lasting change, volunteers are urging everyone to take collective responsibility for beach litter and embrace ocean-friendly habits.
In the words of one passionate volunteer: “Beach litter harms marine life, pollutes our ocean, and spoils natural beauty. Every piece left behind can end up in the sea – let’s keep our beaches clean for wildlife and future generations.”
Volunteers from the Marine Conservation Society also called on governments of the UK to step up – highlighting the need for better infrastructure, such as more accessible bins on our beaches and stronger public education campaigns.
A collective concern raised was the impact of beach litter, particularly plastic, on wildlife and how it pollutes our ocean. Over half of those asked (59%) reported that they feel plastic waste, such as plastic cups, microplastics and disposable vapes, are becoming a bigger problem on our beaches. A shocking 32% of respondents said they had seen marine life, including crabs, seabirds and dolphins, entangled in litter items such as fishing gear and discarded frisbees.
Volunteer testimonies also highlight just how widespread the issue is, from Violet Fraser in the Western Isles of Scotland, who found “birds’ nests with plastic in” to Colette Edwards in Norfolk, who reports “regularly finding seals caught in discarded nets” on her local beach.
Unlike natural materials, plastic doesn’t biodegrade, instead it breaks down into microplastics that persist in the environment indefinitely. These smaller fragments can contain toxic chemicals and are easily ingested by marine animals, leading to contamination, illness, or even death.
The charity’s work clearing and surveying litter from our coasts relies on volunteers like Isaac, who reflects on why he remains committed to beach cleanups:
Volunteer, Isaac Kenyon said, “There’s something deeply grounding about standing on a shoreline and knowing that your small actions are part of something much bigger. Every piece of litter picked up is one less hazard for wildlife, one less piece of plastic in the ocean, and one small step toward a healthier planet.”
There are now clear signs of progress on our shores, with 78% of volunteers surveyed reporting a positive change in beach litter recently. This is echoed by the charity’s beach litter data, collected by volunteers over the last decade, which recorded an average drop of 80% in carrier bags found on UK beaches following the introduction of charges. This highlights how policies on single-use items can drive real change. With the final round of Global Plastics Treaty negotiations starting 5 August, this reinforces the need for bold, timely action to tackle plastic pollution at scale.
Amid rising visitor numbers along the UK’s coasts this summer, the Marine Conservation Society is calling on individuals to take meaningful action – join a beach clean and stop litter from entering our seas. Visit the charity’s website to find a clean near you.
A third of the charity’s beach litter data comes from volunteer surveys during its annual Great British Beach Clean, one of the UK’s largest citizen science programmes. Volunteers record every piece of litter that they find within a 100-metre stretch of beach, providing crucial evidence to drive lasting change for our ocean. The charity’s supporting sponsor this year holidaycottages.co.uk will be taking part in beach cleans across UK.
Kieran Keohane, Head of Sustainability at holidaycottages.co.uk, said, “We’re incredibly proud to be sponsoring the Marine Conservation Society’s annual Great British Beach Clean. With over half of our cottages located by the coast and coastal bookings comprising 53% of all bookings last year, we’re naturally passionate about protecting UK coastlines, and we want to do our bit by shining a spotlight on the need for collective action.
In fact, data from our recent Happy Place guest survey showed that each and every top ten Happy Place destination on our list was on the coast, and when asked to share a joyful memory in their happy place, 35% of guests recalled a treasured moment of the ocean or shoreline.
This September, from 19 to 28, we’ll be supporting around 500 beach cleaning events where close to 6,000 people will endeavour to stop as much litter from entering our oceans as possible. This marine litter data collection is vital to the continued health of our coastlines and we’re honoured to be partnering with the Marine Conservation Society to effect real change.”
