THE 2024 BIG SAUNTON BEACH CLEAN SERIES - 4 TONNES OF RUBBISH AND COUNTING
We have finally announced our 2024 schedule for cleans at Saunton Beach. The next one takes place on Sunday February 25th (11am - 1pm). The Saunton clean is now in its sixth year and in 2023 alone, 446 volunteers removed a whopping 1265kg from the beach..
The ‘Big Saunton Beach Clean’ partnership draws together a range of community and business stakeholders and many dedicated volunteer beach cleaners. Since 2018 the Saunton events have involved 3050 volunteers, 43 beach cleans and the removal of over four tonnes of rubbish.
The rubbish collected continues to be a combination of large amounts of fishing related debris, food packaging, plastic bottles, cans, micro plastics, cigarette butts, disposable vapes and more. The most frightening thing is not the weight of what we find but the age of the rubbish and the amount of smaller and smaller pieces.
Plastic is becoming ingrained in our geological record and continues to embed itself in our food chains and ecosystems. And whilst beach cleaning alone will not fix this fundamental issue, it continues to make a difference both on the amount that we find (Recent Norwegian published research by ‘Norse’ states that global clean up efforts are reducing the amount of microplastics in the oceans).
Most importantly, it continues to connect people with the problem and bring our community together on one the most beautiful beaches in the UK.
Claire, our SEA-E-O states: ‘’We find much less littered rubbish, particularly in the winter months which continues to remind us that the Ocean doesn't abide by the boundaries set by Governments and that it will take global collaboration to tackle the ongoing and growing plastics problem.
The Big Saunton Beach Clean is an example of what can be achieved with the active involvement of our coastal community volunteers and the support offered by stakeholders.”
Saunton beach clean stakeholders include Christie's Estates, Saunton Beach Enterprises Ltd, Saunton Break Cafe and Braunton Countryside Centre. The events continue to be supported by Saunton Surf Life Saving Club, Saunton Hotdoggers, Walking on Waves surf school, Saunton Surf Sisters, North Devon Coast National Landscape and local Surfers Against Sewage reps.
This year the partnership aims to clear even more rubbish off the beach, and will continue to collect evidence that feeds into national organisations, such as; ‘Surfers Against Sewage’ and ‘Marine Conservation Society’. If you are particularly interested in being part of the citizen science aspect please get in touch with info@plasticfreenorthdevon.org.
As always there is free parking for Big Saunton Beach Clean volunteers, and hot drinks will be provided by the wonderful Saunton Break Cafe. This year the cafe will continue to provide drinks in reusable cups only, so don't forget to take your own cup! All beach cleaning equipment is provided but if you have your own, please bring it along with you. Cake donations to share on the day are always warmly welcomed.
For the full list of this year’s Big Saunton Beach Cleans, see the image below. We facilitate ‘Cleanse and Clean’ events across North Devon, so keep an eye on our website www.plasticfreenorthdevon.org or social media pages. Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for upcoming events.
If you want to run your own, and need some help please get in touch, we are always happy to support. There are also lots of local litter cleaning groups in individual towns and villages, and both North Devon and Torridge district Council also have lots of kit for you to borrow.
