Big Spring Beach Clean 2013
Surfers Against Sewage is calling on coastal communities to get involved with the SAS Big Spring Beach Clean on 22nd, 23rd & 24th March to help tackle the marine litter crisis hitting UK shores.
SAS is encouraging community volunteers to lead their own beach cleans as part of the SAS Big Spring Beach Clean, offering advice, equipment and promotional materials to ensure safe and successful events. All lead volunteers will also receive a limited edition Klean Kanteen©; a refillable, safe, healthy, lightweight, reusable bottle free of Bisphenol A (BPA) and other toxin substances.
The SAS Big Spring Beach Clean will take place between 11am and 2pm on 22nd, 23rd & 24th March, so get ready to roll up your sleeves for UK beaches. For more details and to register your event please contact SAS on 01872 553 001 or email dom [at] sas [dot] org [dot] uk
Sadly, the springtime reveals the true severity of the marine litter crisis. The impact of winter storms and in absence of seasonal council beach cleaning operations, the accumulation of litter can be truly shocking. Typical examples of marine litter include rubbish from beach users, sewage-related debris, waste from commercial shipping, nets and fish boxes from fishing vessels and medical waste.
Marine litter is thought to reduce the resiliance of marine ecosystems and add to other human impacts on the marine environment such as inappropriate development, sewage and agricultural pollution, climate change and ocean acidification (Derraik, 2002). Marine litter can also dramatically affect quality of life, recreational opportunities and aesthetic value. The majority of beach users rank cleanliness as a priority in chosing their destination. A 2005 ENCAMS study showed that 97% of people avoided beaches with 10 or more large litter items per metre.
Thanks to Klean Kanteen, Speedo International and the European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) for their support in making this project possible.
Further information
For more information please contact SAS on 01872 553 001 or email [email protected]
Please note that all official SAS Big Spring Beach Clean organisers will need to complete a risk assessment document and notify the council of their event & anticipated volunteer numbers. All organisers must follow SAS’s health and safety advice and briefing instructions. All organisers must ensure they dispose of rubbish collected properly, either by liaising with the local council or taking it to the local refuse disposal & recycling site. Surfers Against Sewage conforms to statutory requirements with regard to employer’s liability and this covers volunteers on beach clean activities.
Materials provided by SAS to volunteers organising beach cleans.
- SAS Big Spring Beach Clean Posters
- SAS Big Beach Clean – organisers’ guide
- Digital Big Spring Beach Clean artwork
- Heavy duty gloves
- Degradable bin bagsSAS marine litter guides
Lead volunteers will receive their Klean Kanteen© once they have filled in the Big Spring Beach Clean feedback form and supplied images from heir event.