‘I would encourage everyone to get involved’ - South West Devon MP backs beach clean

Rebecca Smith, MP for South West Devon, has welcomed the start of the Great British Beach Clean, a nationwide event organised by the Marine Conservation Society.

A week-long initiative is running from Friday 19 September until Sunday 28 September and will see hundreds of beach cleans take place across the UK.

The project not only clears rubbish from the coastline but also collects important data that will help shape environmental policies.

Past surveys have supported changes such as the plastic bag charge and a ban on microplastics in personal health care products.

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Ms Smith recently joined volunteers at Mount Batten Beach in Plymouth to support Beachwatch, the Marine Conservation Society’s project that records litter items found along the shore.

"Marine waste continues to pose a serious threat to our wildlife, public spaces, and coastal economies. In Devon alone, surveys show an average of 103 litter items were found per 100 metres of beach last year, the majority of which were single-use plastics. Community-led events like the Great British Beach Clean are a fantastic way to make a real difference." she said.

Local litter-picking groups have already played an active role in South West Devon.

Clean Our Patch in Plymstock and the Plympton Litter Pickers are among the volunteer teams regularly removing waste from streets and waterways before it reaches the sea.

The Marine Conservation Society says beach cleans are suitable for all ages and even family pets.

Volunteers can join an organised clean or register to host their own, with guidance provided online.

Rebecca added: "I would encourage everyone to get involved in this year’s clean-ups. By working together, we can protect our beaches for future generations."