Over 400 people volunteer for Mayo’s Big Beach Clean

Twenty-five groups and 450 volunteers are all set to join Clean Coasts for the Big Beach Clean in Mayo.

The clean-up is set to take place September 20-22. 

Supported by Kia Ireland the Big Beach Clean is part of the International Coastal Clean-up (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.

In 2023, over 400 groups registered to host a clean-up, with 7,700 Clean Coasts volunteers removing a staggering 46 tonnes of litter nationwide.

This year looks set to see groups from all over Ireland turn out in huge numbers. 

_{Clean Coasts group Keep Our Beaches Clean hosted their Big Beach Clean event on Bertra beach}

Last year, over 400 volunteers took part in Mayo’s Big Beach Clean and collected two point four tonnes of litter, making a huge difference to their county. 

This year, clean-ups will be happening in various locations, including Ballyhaunis, Castlebar, Louisburgh and Newport. 

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. 

The 2024 International Coastal Clean-up Report from Ocean Conservancy found that the top three items found on beaches worldwide in 2023 were cigarette butts, plastic bottles and bottle caps.

Cathal Kealey from Kia Ireland said the company is ‘delighted’ to see so many community groups and individuals signing up. 

“As a brand committed to our journey towards Carbon Neutrality, we are proud to support such an important initiative. Our support will ensure that clean-up kits are distributed to volunteers that sign up to registered clean-ups across the country. In line with our global clean-up initiatives that are designed to combat ocean pollution, we would urge as many people as possible to register for their local beach clean this September,” she continued.

Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Manager, commented: “By recording and reporting on the litter collected, we are not only cleaning up our beaches but providing important data 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 close at 5pm next Wednesday, September 11. 

For a map of Mayo events, more information, and to register, see the Clean Coasts website.