Can you give a beach some TLC?

Friday 28 January 2022

Ahead of Valentine's Day, we are being asked to show our beaches some love - with a push to get businesses, community groups and individuals involved in the fourth annual Big Channel Islands Beach Clean.

There will be organised beach cleans in Guernsey, Alderney and Sark as well as in Jersey between Friday 11 and Sunday 13 February.

Last year, nearly 400 people took part, even though the Bailiwick was in lockdown. 

This year, Helen Quin, from the Clean Earth Trust in Guernsey, thinks even more will join in.

“Last year, more than 800kg of waste was collected from beaches across the Channel Islands by more than 360 volunteers," she said.

"We’re hoping that, without lockdown restrictions, people will be more eager to get out and take part. With plastic consumption rapidly rising, our beaches and wildlife continue to need your help."

The Clean Earth Trust is one of the organisers along with other charitable bodies, including the Alderney Wildlife Trust and La Société Sercquaise.  

Pictured: Supported by sponsor Highvern, the organisers of the Big Channel Islands Beach Clean say it will be "bigger than ever this year".

Numerous people already regularly collect litter from the Bailiwick's beaches. Some of the rubbish picked up has travelled from across the world before landing here. 

As well as organising the litter collection, the charities leading the event will record everything collected to analyse the overall impact on marine life.

Rowie Burcham, Outreach Officer for the Alderney Wildlife Trust, said that recording what is collected and cleared from beaches will have a beneficial effect in the long term.

“The Big Channel Islands Beach Clean is one of the best examples of the Channel Islands working together," she said.

"We hope that this will go on to inspire more projects which work to ensure a thriving natural environment where wildlife is acknowledged as playing a vital role in addressing our islands' future needs.”

Anyone wanting to take part should head to the Facebook page for the fourth Annual Big Channel Islands Beach Clean.

Pictured (top): This year's Big Channel Islands Beach Clean is taking place over the weekend of 11 - 13 February.