DDC’s environmental community stand on Dover promenade
Every September, thousands of people take to the beach all over the UK to take part in the Great British Beach Clean, a week-long citizen science event, where hundreds of beach cleans take place up and down the UK.
The litter data collected drives the Marine Society’s conservation work and also feeds into the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC).
This year, DDC coordinated a team to support the campaign, which took place from 17-26 September.
Working with partners and volunteer groups including Port of Dover Police, Pick Deal Clean and the Kent Police cadets, as well as local businesses who support the #2minutebeachclean, DDC’s Environmental Crime team hosted a community stand.
They visited residents in both Walmer and Dover over the two weekends of the campaign, generating awareness of the Marine Conservation Society’s work and explaining how we can all support it at a local level by keeping our beaches clean and protecting our marine life from litter.
Reduce, reuse and recycle was the ongoing educational message for our younger residents, with fun games on offer such as guessing how long it takes for certain types of rubbish to biodegrade and ‘saving the fish’.
Cllr Trevor Bartlett, Leader of DDC, said: “Looking after our beaches and coastal areas is an ongoing task for the Environmental Crime team throughout the year. By highlighting the work that they do, we hope to generate awareness and cultivate pride in our district. Community events are a great way to meet residents and generate discussion and ideas to help us shape council services. Thank you to those residents who, throughout the year, help to keep our beaches clear of rubbish”.