Meath volunteers remove 1.6 tonnes of litter in Big Beach Clean

More than 280 volunteers in County Meath removed an estimated 1.6 tonnes of marine litter from beaches, waterways and other locations during this year’s Big Beach Clean.

The annual Clean Coasts initiative took place from 18th to 20th September with around 9,700 volunteers across all 26 counties taking part in almost 500 clean-ups.

Across the country, an estimated 87 tonnes of marine litter was removed from Ireland’s coastal and inland areas.

Locally clean-ups took place at a number of locations, with community groups, volunteers and local businesses joining forces to tackle litter.

On Bettystown Beach, several groups came together with Bettystown Tidy Towns, including members of the East Meath Women’s Shed, who took part wearing bright pink high-visibility vests.

Meath Volunteer Centre also joined the clean-up, including volunteers who tackled burned waste in the dunes.

Meanwhile, Mornington Tidy Towns teamed up with local Kia dealership Jack Doran Motors for a clean-up at Mornington Beach.

More than 45kg of rubbish was collected during the Mornington clean-up, including large quantities of small pieces of plastic and rusted metal.

The Big Beach Clean is held annually to mark the end of Ireland’s bathing season and coincides with the International Coastal Cleanup, organised globally by Ocean Conservancy.

As well as removing litter, volunteers record the types and quantities of waste they find as part of a worldwide citizen science project.

The information collected helps build a picture of marine litter and can contribute to policies and actions aimed at tackling pollution.

The three most commonly recorded types of litter during last year’s Big Beach Clean included fishing-related waste, cigarette butts and pieces of plastic.

Clean Coasts said the participation of volunteers from inland areas was also important, as litter discarded away from the coast can ultimately reach the sea through waterways, wind and animal activity.

The European Environment Agency estimates that approximately 80 per cent of marine litter comes from land-based activities.

The Big Beach Clean was supported by Kia Ireland, which provided funding for clean-up equipment and supplies, while dealerships around the country also joined local Clean Coasts groups.

Cathal Kealey, Head of Marketing and PR at Kia Ireland, thanked volunteers for their efforts.

“Their work is truly inspiring, with many of them out every week, come rain or shine, making a huge difference to Irish beaches,” he said.

Bronagh Moore, Clean Coasts Programme Manager with An Taisce, also thanked the thousands of volunteers who took part.

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

She encouraged people to remain involved with their local Clean Coasts groups and community clean-up initiatives throughout the year.