Registrations are now OPEN for 2026!

When you register for the Big Beach Clean, you will receive all you need to host a clean-up and join in the citizen science project.

Each pack will contain bags, gloves, hi-viz vests and marine litter data cards to record information on the types and quantities of litter you find. Each clean-up pack will also include a brochure with information about the Big Beach Clean as well as guidelines on how to carry out a clean up, and a sample health and safety checklist and risk assessment. You can also download a PDF version of the brochure here.

If you have any clean-up kit materials from previous calls-to-action, you can opt out from receiving more if not required.

When you register for the Big Beach Clean you will automatically be registered as a Clean Coasts group and your information will be added to our database and used for Clean Coasts communications only. If you do not want to receive these communications, you can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of those emails.

Marine Litter Data Collection Card

During the Big Beach Clean, Clean Coasts volunteers are asked to be part of an excellent worldwide citizen science data collection project and carry out marine litter surveys to quantify the amount and types of litter found on Irish beaches. This data can be recorded on the Marine Litter Data Cards send to you when you register for the Big Beach Clean. These surveys are aimed at heightening awareness about the issue of marine litter and serve as an indicator of the magnitude of the problem. Groups can also use the Clean Swell App by Ocean Conservancy.

We hope everyone enjoys being part of the movement for litter free beaches, seas, Ocean and inland waterways and of course taking part in the world’s largest coastal clean-up event and marine litter survey!

Download the marine litter data card to print and fill out HERE or alternatively submit your data online directly by clicking on the button below.

Filling out your Marine Litter Data Cards

By recording data on the litter you find using our Marine Litter Data Cards you will collect valuable information about marine litter in Ireland.

When you register for the Big Beach Clean, you will receive a number of Marine Litter Data cards to fill out during your clean-up. These cards feature the most common types of litter found along our coastline.

We recommend conducting the survey with a friend during your clean-up. One person litter-picks while the other counts the items collected on the survey cards. A quick and easy way to do this is to try using the 5 bar gate count. For each instance of an item found during your litter pick draw one straight line down, and on the fifth item, draw a diagonal line. At the end of your litter pick, you can then easily tally up each litter item you found.

Then, once you have completed your clean-up, please gather all of your survey cards together or tally up all your results onto one card! If you are returning multiple cards, make sure to label each card with your group name and number them in order so that we know they are from the same clean-up!

To submit your findings for the global citizen science action, all you have to do is upload your results to our online form here, scan or take photo of your data cards and email them to us at cleancoasts@antaisce.org or post your filled out and labelled cards to us at: Clean Coasts, An Taisce, 5 Foster Place, Dublin 2, D02 VOP9.

Why be a Citizen Scientist?

Becoming a citizen scientist can be a truly rewarding experience for individuals passionate about science and the natural world. By actively participating in scientific research and data collection, citizen scientists contribute invaluable insights to the scientific community.

Regardless of academic background, citizen scientists have the unique opportunity to make a tangible impact. Engaging in citizen science projects fosters a sense of connection to the environment and empowers individuals to play an active role in addressing global challenges. By joining a citizen science project, one becomes part of a collaborative effort to drive positive change for a better future.

When it comes to the Big Beach Clean, taking the time to identify and count litter found on our coastline is incredibly important. Not only does it give an indication of the scale of the marine litter issue, it also helps us to identify the types of activities and industries that create the most common litter items.

In return we can create and focus campaigns and initiatives to reduce and eliminate these items from our environment and assist policy changes around these common litter items.

Kia Ireland are supporting the Big Beach Clean

Kia Ireland are delighted to return as the official sponsor of the Big Beach Clean in 2026.

On a global level, Kia continues to support The Ocean Cleanup which is an organisation that has stated a long-term objective of removing 90% of floating ocean plastic worldwide by 2040.

In addition to using recycled materials in vehicle production, Kia continues to explore pathways for collected plastic waste to be recycled and reused and have recently launched a boot liner accessory which contains 40% recycled ocean plastic.

In line with these global clean up initiatives, Kia Ireland are encouraging as many people as possible to register for their local beach clean this September.

Further information on these initiatives is available on Kia.com

National Spring Clean is joining the Big Beach Clean

National Spring Clean are encouraging volunteers from everywhere in Ireland to join Clean Coasts for The Big Beach Clean 2026.

National Spring Clean is Ireland’s largest anti-litter initiative, which usually takes place in the month of April.

National Spring Clean said: “We are encouraging all our National Spring Clean volunteers to join the Big Beach Clean this year. Did you know that the number one cause of marine litter is litter dropped in towns and cities followed by overflowing litter bins? As evidence has shown that over 70% of plastic pollution affecting our ocean comes from land-based actions, cleaning up cities and towns has a tangible positive effect on our seas and oceans too.

For this reason, we are asking our volunteers to help prevent litter entering our waterways and seas by holding a clean up no matter where they are in the country and tackling the problem at the source.”

Big Beach Clean 2025 Public Clean-Ups Map 

Public clean-up locations for 2026 will be added here once we have begun to receive this data!

Join the Social Media Conversation

Want to help us spread the word about the Big Beach Clean? Then join the conversation on our social media.

Share your pictures and reasons why you are signing up, using the hashtags #BigBeachClean26 and #CleanCoasts and tag us:

On Instagram and TikTok: @cleancoasts | On Facebook and LinkedIn: @CleanCoasts | On Bluesky: @cleancoasts.bsky.social

We have provided free editable social media resources for you to use here: Clean Coasts Trello

We’ll keep sharing all your best shots and stories to inspire other people to do something to protect our beautiful coastline!