North Devon cleaned up by hundreds as nearly 700kg of litter is hauled away

Hundreds of volunteers turned out across North Devon on Saturday 31 January 2026 in an impressive show of community spirit, coming together for Earth Action North Devon’s annual Day of Action to collect nearly 689 kilograms of waste from 22 beaches, parks, and public spaces between 10am and 12pm. 

Earth Action North Devon, which describes itself as a small but mighty team based in Braunton, promotes environmental protection through community-led actions, education, and sustainability initiatives across the region.

Despite forecasts threatening heavy rain, the weather largely held, with bursts of sunshine in some areas. 

While Woolacombe and Ilfracombe did see some showers, volunteers of all ages took part with enthusiasm, describing a strong sense of shared purpose and pride in their local environment.

Alongside the organised clean-ups, many individuals, businesses, and small groups carried out their own community cleans across the area, adding to the overall impact of the day.

Anne-Marie Eveleigh, Operations Manager at Earth Action North Devon, said: “It’s inspiring to see communities coming together like this. Every bag of waste collected and every item logged is more than just clean-up, it’s evidence that drives real change. Local action sparks conversation, inspires others to get involved, and shows the pride people take in where they live.”

Volunteers not only removed litter but also recorded exactly what they found. 

The Day of Action goes beyond simply tidying up.

It also involves carefully recording the types and amounts of waste collected to provide valuable evidence about the scale and sources of pollution in the local environment.

Key findings from the day included 299 plastic bottles and 104 disposable cups and lids.

Other commonly found items included fast-food packaging, dog poo bags (usually full), fishing nets, cigarette butts, coffee cups, and fragments of plastic.

The recorded data is submitted to Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) as part of their Million Mile Clean Campaign, contributing to a national database that tracks plastic pollution trends across the UK. 

The information helps inform education, campaigning, and policy initiatives aimed at preventing pollution before it enters the environment.

Plastic pollution is recognised as one of the greatest threats to both the planet and human health. 

Global plastic production continues to rise and is expected to triple by 2060, largely driven by the fossil fuel industry. 

Tiny plastic particles, or microplastics, have now been detected in food, drinking water, human blood, and even in the most remote corners of the ocean. 

The findings are a stark reminder that pollution from everyday products can reach every part of the natural world.

“By submitting our findings to Surfers Against Sewage, every piece of litter counted strengthens the case for system-wide solutions,” added Eveleigh. 

“This includes better waste infrastructure, reducing single-use plastics, and holding producers and decision-makers accountable for the waste entering our environment."

The organisers expressed their gratitude to all volunteers, from community leaders and first-time litter pickers to families, groups, businesses, and local partners. 

Support came from schools including Southmead School, Braunton Academy, Marland School, Pilton College, Woolsery Primary, and South Molton Primary, alongside children’s summer clubs.

Local councils, charities, and community groups involved included North Devon Council, Ilfracombe Town Council, Barnstaple Town Council, North Devon Coast National Landscape, North Devon UNESCO Biosphere, Torridge Green Party, Plastic Free Woolacombe, Plastic Free Exmoor, Lyn Climate Action, and Landkey Hedgehog Group.

Businesses and other partners supporting the day included Christie Devon Estates, Dryrobe, JensonR+, The Glorious Oyster, The Earth Repair Shop, Blue Soup Agency, John Fowler Holidays, The Grampus, and Braunton Tesco. Volunteers were joined by the Barnstaple Mayor, Hele Marbabes, and local councillors, all contributing to the success of the event.

Together, these efforts are helping to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable future for North Devon and beyond.