Beach clean-up plan as fears of pollution grow
AN effort to clean up the North East coastline is set to take place next month following growing concerns about waste during lockdown.
Surfers Against Sewage report 54% of people in the UK think Covid-19 has led to an increase in plastic pollution and 59% have seen more waste in their area over the last 12 months.
Now Tynemouth-based eco-friendly pet store Pets Against Plastics has signed up for the charity’s new campaign Million Mile Beach Clean to promote a long term clean up operation.
The Million Mile Beach Clean is a mammoth nationwide litter pick which encourages 100,000 volunteers to walk 10 miles cleaning local beaches.
It aims to remove single-use plastics from the country’s coastline, reconnect people with nature and help to promote physical and mental wellbeing.
Pets Against Plastics will lead the effort in Tynemouth, with a sociallydistanced event at Longsands beach on May 15 at 8am.
Participants will meet outside of Crusoes, where families and friends will be encouraged to take part in mini beach cleans to allow the rule of six to be maintained in line with the government’s coronavirus guidelines.
Luke Rose-Smith from Pets Against Plastics, which has arranged the event, said: “As restrictions are starting to lift we wanted to arrange a community event which allows local people to take part in a meaningful campaign to keep our beaches clean.
“Surfers Against Sewage is an amazing charity who do wonderful things for our ocean – this is just a little something we can do which will make a huge impact on our environment.”
Anyone who would like to take part is asked to inform Pets Against Plastics as those not on the list will be turned away in order to control crowds.