Every summer, the British seaside gets its moment in the sun, and whilst it is often limited, families still flock to the coast to enjoy the sand and sea whilst they can. The school Summer holidays are primetime for seaside tourists, who head to the sandy shores to enjoy the fish & chips and ice cream, but once the school holidays wrap and the tourists pack up, they leave behind more than footprints in the sand.
What’s the problem?
The mountains of litter left by beach-goers is a real kick in the sandcastle! The waste ranges from your usual suspects like lolly wrappers, takeaway cartons and drinks bottles, to the less common, but still known culprits of disposable barbeques, buckets and spades and the forgotten sunglasses. These wrongfully discarded items, whether left intentionally or accidentally, not only look unsightly but also pose threats to public health, as well as marine life and the environment. We have all seen the picture of seagulls, seals and other sea creatures caught in rubbish, and it is a heartbreaking sight to see. Sadly, each bit of litter left behind on our beaches has the potential to journey out to sea, joining the growing flotilla of oceanic debris harming wildlife and ecosystems. It’s a mess we simply can’t ignore.
What’s the Solution?
Of course, the best solution to prevent coastal litter is responsible waste management, which is something that, despite the threat of fines and continual reinforcement of its importance, is often neglected. In an ideal world, everyone would appropriately dispose of their waste, which would prevent the litter; alas, this is something we might need to keep in our dreams. Instead, the next solution is one we need to tackle ourselves; as such, we are rolling up our sleeves and carrying out a beach clean litter pick.
We joined the Marine Conservation Society in their annual GB Beach Clean for the 8th consecutive year, where a team from Cromwell headed to the sandy Scarborough shore to carry out a much-needed coastal clean-up. For the past 7 years, we have tackled the beach at Filey, and thankfully, we have noticed a decline in beach litter year on year, with 2024 being our cleanest year to date. With the area seeming to be less and less of an issue when it came to waste, we decided to choose one that is known to be a constant litter hot spot.
Our Litter Pick
Scarborough is a very popular destination for UK holiday goers and families who want a day at the beach. Adjacent to the beach is a row of businesses, including restaurants, retail units, amusements and other entertainment complexes, which are making the town an even busier place to be! Combine the 2 with good weather, and you have the perfect day out, but also an influx of waste.
In late September, the team arrived armed with litter pickers and bags to assess the damage. Despite a seemingly clean beach and surrounding areas, the team still spotted some discarded waste among the sand and seaweed. The Cromwell team spent an hour on the beach and nearby streets collecting all discarded waste, from wooden forks to cans of pop and even forgotten socks and swimwear. Whatever the rubbish, it was collected and bagged securely. Our team collected a brilliant 8 bags, with the main culprit being cigarette buts, something we had seen decline in previous years. Overall, the beach was in good condition. It is clear that either the council have a great team keeping up with the litter, or we as individuals and tourists are just being more responsible about our waste. Yet now, the area is cleaner than ever!
From the Sea to the Streets: Why It Matters
The Beach Clean and Spring Clean are two clean-ups which are in our calendar every year. Not only is it a great chance for the team to get away from their desks and forklifts, but it is great for the environment too. We’re doing this because waste doesn’t belong in nature, and we’re committed to being part of the solution. Whether it’s through our compostable liners, recycled-content refuse sacks, or community involvement, we believe sustainability starts with action.
And make no mistake, this isn’t a one-off. Cromwell will continue supporting environmental clean-up events and initiatives across the UK, so watch this space and join the cause too!
Need the bags? We have you covered with our high-quality litter picking sacks.