The Big Beach Clean-up 2015 has a mission to clear litter from 135 beaches and canals up and down the country, with over 8000 people expected to take part. This event is in its fourth year and to beat last years 250km of coastline and canal cleared - we need everyone who is available to help us.
Visit www.mcsuk.org/foreverfish to find your nearest beach and canal.
A load of rubbish
The majority of the litter will be common waste such as bottles and wrappers, last year there were some rather unusual items cleared; false teeth, a plastic leg and two motorbikes.
Richard Parry, Chief Executive at the Canal & River Trust, said: “Canals are havens in our towns and cities. They are home to many endangered and much loved wildlife as well as places for people to get away from it all. Local communities already do so much to help us look after the waterways, and it's particularly good to have the support of M&S to keep them special places.”
Samantha Fanshawe, MCS Chief Executive, said: “The Big Beach Clean-up has grown year on year, involving thousands of amazing volunteers ready to don gloves and bags and pick up the rubbish left behind by others, washed down from rivers or discarded from fishing boats and ships.
"This fantastic partnership between M&S, charities and communities raises awareness of the issue and the need for nation-wide action across government, industry and voluntary sectors to stop litter at source.”
It makes a difference
Since the Big Beach Clean-up started in 2012, 62.5 tonnes of litter has been cleared and more than 20,000 people have volunteered their time to help.
Forever Fish campaign
The M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of M&S' Forever Fish campaign. By charging 5p for their carrier bags M&S not only reduced carrier bags by 75% but raised over £8 million for good causes.
