Big Beach Clean 2024: Local Actions, Global Impact
Registrations Now Open – Supported by Kia Ireland: request a free kit to carry out a beach clean and join a worldwide citizen science project to influence policies and campaigns to protect our ocean.
6th August 2024 – The Big Beach Clean 2024 is back and Clean Coasts are asking people to register to join the campaign. From September 20th to 22nd, volunteers across the country will gather to clean our beautiful beaches and contribute to a global effort to combat marine litter. This year, we are thrilled to announce that the initiative is proudly supported by Kia Ireland.
In 2023, over 400 groups registered to host a clean-up, with 7,700 Clean Coasts volunteers removing a staggering 46 tonnes of litter all across the country! This year let’s continue to push for positive change.
After signing up, participants will receive everything they need to conduct a successful beach clean and carry out a marine litter survey, by filling in the Marine Litter Data Cards or using the Clean Swell App. As part of the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup, individual and group efforts in Ireland will have far-reaching effects, contributing to global data and influencing environmental policies worldwide.
By participating in the Big Beach Clean and submitting the information on the types and quantities of litter you collect, participants will help make Ireland’s voice heard on a global scale. The data collected by our volunteers in previous years have informed national campaigns such as “Bin the Butt” and “Break Up With Plastic”.
On a global level, this data, when shared with Ocean Conservancy, has driven significant policy changes worldwide, including banning of certain plastic items like bags and straws or the implementation of laws to prohibit smoking on beaches.
Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s Clean Coasts Manager commented “We are delighted to announce that registrations for the Big Beach Clean 2024 are now open. Every piece of litter removed and reported not only contributes to cleaner beaches but can lead to impactful campaigns and healthier oceans. Your participation in the Big Beach Clean 2024 helps amplify Ireland’s voice in the global effort to protect our oceans. It’s a powerful reminder of how local actions can lead to significant global impacts. Join us in making a difference!”
Cathal Kealey, Head of Marketing & PR @ Kia Ireland commented “As a brand we are on a journey towards Carbon Neutrality and part of that strategy looks at the use of recycled materials in our vehicle production, and particularly the use of recycled ocean waste. By 2030, 20% of our vehicle plastics will come from recycled materials. Kia Ireland are delighted to be the official sponsor of the Big Beach Clean 2024. Our support will ensure that cleanup kits are distributed to all volunteers that sign up to registered cleanups across the country. In line with to 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.”
For more information and to register, visit www.cleancoasts.org.