Making a Difference: Beach Cleanup
- Jan 25
- 1 min read
On 13th January, we carried out a beach clean at Wester Alligin, combining practical conservation action with valuable scientific research.
Although Wester Alligin is a stunning and relatively remote location, it is still affected by marine litter. The purpose of this beach clean was not only to remove waste from the shoreline, but also to collect and record the types of litter found, contributing important data to ongoing research into marine pollution and its sources being carried out by the Marine Conservation Society.
In just one hour, we collected 28 kilograms of litter. Each item was carefully recorded and categorised, helping to build a clearer understanding of the materials most commonly washing up on our coasts. Items collected included plastics, packaging, and fishing-related debris, all highlighting the ongoing impact of human activity on the marine environment.
All litter was disposed of responsibly, ensuring it was removed from the beach and would not re-enter the sea. While removing litter is an essential step, the data gathered during this clean will help inform wider conservation efforts, policy discussions, and long-term solutions aimed at preventing marine pollution at its source.
The results from the Wester Alligin survey highlight the scale and nature of the problem. Across a 100-metre stretch of beach, we recorded 165 individual items, the vast majority of which were plastic or polystyrene, underlining the ongoing pressures facing our marine environment. By recording this data alongside removing the waste, this survey has helped turn local action into meaningful evidence that supports wider marine conservation efforts.
