Almost 100 Cork groups join the Big Beach Clean

Almost 100 groups in Cork are set to join the Big Beach Clean this week, to help remove marine litter and also be part of an international citizen science project.

Supported by Cully and Sully, the Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) 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.

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

As the bathing season comes to an end, Clean Coasts volunteers have once more demonstrated their willingness to get involved and tackle the marine litter problem by registering for this call-to-action with some 1,583 people volunteering their time to support the clean-up event.

Volunteers around Ireland who wish to get involved but did not register can still do so by joining an existing public clean-up.

Clean-ups will be happening in various locations in Cork, including the River Lee, Cobh, Cush Beach Osterhaven, Passage West Shoreline, Ballinhassig Village, Inch beach, and Garrylucas beach.

In conjunction with Cully and Sully, Clean Coasts will be hosting a flagship event on Friday from 10:30am-12:30pm in Youghal’s Redbarn Beach.

This year, Clean Coasts is encouraging volunteers to focus on the importance of submitting information regarding litter removed.

It said that by recording the amount and types of litter collected, volunteers contribute to a comprehensive overview of the marine litter problem.

The information collected is also used to shape Clean Coasts’ campaigns, events, and resources for volunteers, initiating targeted actions against the top litter offenders.

Speaking ahead of the event, coastal communities manager Sinead McCoy said:”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.”