Join over 200 Clean Coasts volunteers for the Big Beach Clean in county Clare

More than 200 volunteers who in county Clare are all set to join Clean Coasts for the Big Beach Clean this September 20 to 22, supported by Kia Ireland to make a positive impact on the Irish coast and waterways.

With the deadline for registering fast approaching, this is a final reminder to volunteers to sign up before this Wednesday, September 11, to avail of free kit, while stocks last.

Over 400 groups and more than 10,000 volunteers nationwide are set to join the Big Beach Clean to remove marine litter and be part of an international citizen science project.

The Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) organised by the Ocean Conservancy, and is 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.

Volunteers are set to host a beach clean or join an existing one. Clean-ups will be happening in various locations, including Ennis, Doonbeg, Lahinch, Tulla and Labasheeda.

A list of clean-ups happening in County Clare as part of the Big Beach Clean can be found on the Clean Coasts website.

In 2023, over 400 groups registered to host a clean-up, with 7,700 Clean Coasts volunteers removing a staggering 46 tonnes of litter all across the country! This year looks set to see groups from all over Ireland turn out in huge numbers.

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Last year, Clare had over 200 volunteers who took part in the 2023 Big Beach Clean and made a huge difference to their county collecting 1.3 tonnes of litter.

Whether you’re an individual looking to set up a private beach clean or a club looking to host a public one, you’ll find all the information you need on www.cleancoasts.org. 

Each item of litter collected and submitted via Marine Litter Data cards or Clean Swell app is shared with Ocean Conservancy, who will use the information received to create reports and advocate around the world to tackle the problem of ocean litter.

Group efforts in Ireland will contribute to global data collected which can influence significant environmental policy changes worldwide, including the banning of certain plastic items like bags and straws or the implementation of laws to prohibit smoking on beaches.

"We are thrilled to see such large numbers already signed up for the Big Beach Clean 2024," Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Manager, commented.

"It’s a fantastic way for individuals, clubs and communities to come together and be part of a powerful movement working to protect our coastlines and waterways.

"By recording and reporting on the litter collected, we are not only cleaning up our beaches but providing important data that that can influence and lead to impactful global campaigns and changes in policy.

"It’s a great opportunity to be involved in a global effort to protect our ocean."

Registrations will close at 5pm on Wednesday September 11. For more information and to register, visit www.cleancoasts.org.

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