Beach-goers digging eco scene at new bucket bin
THE humble bucket and spade has been a seaside staple for decades.
But as hordes of day-trippers head to the nation’s beaches for the bank holiday weekend, one traditional beach spot is bringing a 21st-century twist to the popular toys.
And it’s one Sir David Attenborough would surely approve of – because a bin made out of recycled rubbish will remind families to re-use their beach toys when they visit Barry Island.
The bucket and spade bin has been unveiled at the town’s Whitmore Bay in a campaign to encourage beachgoers to reduce littering and cut consumption of single-use plastics.
Visitors can’t miss the bin, at the top of the main ramps leading to the beach.
With the sun set to shine, thousands are expected to flock to the coast this bank holiday and the Vale of Glamorgan Council wants to make sure Barry Island stays free of rubbish.
Council leader Neil Moore said: “The Vale of Glamorgan Council declared a climate emergency in July and in line with this has taken a series of measures recently that are designed to cut the use of single-use plastics.
“It is a real shame to see buckets, spades and other beach toys thrown in the bin at the end of the day, or worse, left on the beach. Now, if people don’t want to take theirs home they can leave it for others.
“This is just one of several great ideas suggested by the many active community groups that we are lucky to work with. Particular credit should go to Friends of Barry Beaches, Beautiful Barry and Barrybados.”
It comes after the problem of plastic pollution was thrust firmly into the public spotlight through Sir David’s Blue Planet II series.
The council has launched the Bin It! campaign to coincide with the August bank holiday and says there are no excuses for Barry Island not to be the cleanest beach in the country.
As well as scaling up its waste operation at the resort during the summer and carrying out a beach rake every morning, the council has installed water fountains to help cut down on the used of single-use plastic bottles.