Volunteers from across Cork collect tonnes of marine litter in Big Beach Clean

More than 1,500 volunteers from across Cork took part in a major clean-up of coastlines, inland waterways, towns, and villages across the county last weekend, collecting almost nine tonnes of litter.

The drive was part of the annual, nationwide Big Beach Clean, when 9,500 people took part in 500 clean-ups across the country, and collected 58 tonnes of marine rubbish.

More than 80 of these took place in Cork alone, including at Inchydoney beach, where more than 40 volunteers joined members of Clonakilty Tidy Towns, Clonakilty Community Resource Centre Siúlóid group, and staff from Inchydoney Island Lodge and Spa.

Bantry Tidy Towns volunteers were joined by members of Bantry Bay RFC and West Cork Jesters at the Bantry airstrip and nearby beach, where they removed six large bags of litter and numerous larger items, including hanks of rope, a plastic water drum, and a foldable chair.

Elsewhere, members of the Cork Volunteer Centre teamed up with Tidy Towns groups from Mallow, Macroom, and Youghal for clean-ups.

The three most common litter items removed during the Big Beach Clean weekend were fishing waste, cigarette butts, and pieces of plastic.

The Big Beach Clean encourages individuals, communities, and volunteers from around the country to remove litter from the Irish coast and waterways.

According to the European Environment Agency, 80% of marine litter comes from land-based activities. This means that litter from inland villages, estates, towns, and cities can end up polluting our inland waterways and the ocean.

Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme manager, said it was great to see thousands of volunteers showing up across the country.

“Together, we are making a tangible difference in keeping our beaches clean and in protecting our marine life,” she said.