Become a Beachwatcher ! - how to do a beach clean
Doing a beach clean doesn't take a huge commitment, is fun and is a good way to meet new people. Beachwatch Big Weekend is done once a year (always the third weekend in September), whilst some beaches are surveyed at other times throughout the year. (usually a maximum of four times).
First decide on whether you want to 'adopt' your own beach as an organiser or to volunteer at a beach event co-ordinated by someone else. If you are a diver click here to read about how to do an underwater cleanup.
Be an organiser
Organising is simple! – There are over 400 Adopt-a-Beach organisers who love it – so why not join them! They are the people who make the surveys happen. Without them, a beach could be left dirty and we wouldn't have any data on the litter around our coastline.
First you need to choose your beach – to make sure it’s not been adopted by someone else.
Then follow these simple steps:
- Contact MCS and we'll send out an organiser pack with all the details you need to organise the litter clean and beach survey
- Contact the beach owner/manager and get permission to do the survey
- Return the signed registration and risk assessment forms to MCS. Arrange for a litter collection at the end of the clean - try to recycle as much as possible.
- Name the day - for Beachwatch Big Weekend this will always be the third weekend in September. General beach cleans throughout the year can be done anytime.
- Check tide times to make sure the tide won't be 'in' whilst you're surveying.
- Get some willing volunteers. Advertise the event with posters and a press release to get lots of support.
- Give a safety briefing - most important. Remind all volunteers that they carry out the beach clean at their own risk.
- Survey and litter pick 100m of your beach. Survey from the strandline to the back of the beach.
- Get all the volunteers together and weigh and count your bags.
- Say thank you and see you next time to your volunteers.
- Fill in the Total form (both sides) and return to MCS - most important otherwise all your hard work has been for nothing!
- Use the feedback form we send you to identify your main sources of litter. You may be able to help address litter sources and marine pollution locally.
Be a Volunteer
Volunteering at a beach clean couldn't be easier. Here are some tips to make the most of your volunteering.
- First choose a beach to volunteer at. Click here for a list of all adopted beaches and organisers contact details. If your beach isn't listed - this means no-one has adopted it. You can either find another beach to volunteer at or 'adopt' the beach yourself as an organiser – see above. If your beach is listed but there are no local contact details, it’s because some people prefer that their details aren't given out directly. Please contact MCS and we will get the organiser to contact you directly.
- On the day of the survey and beach clean, wear suitable clothing and footwear - wrap up warm as the wind on the beach can make it chilly. And don't forget the sun cream and a bottle of water! If you have them take along strong gloves - like gardening gloves.
- All children must be supervised by a parent or guardian. You will be asked to sign a parental consent form by the organiser.
- Listen to the safety briefing - it's for your own good!
- Get into groups of 3-4, one person recording (the adult, if in a group with children)
- Be as accurate as you can when collecting and identifying the litter - if you don't know what something is, don’t be afraid to ask.
- Don't remove any natural material such as seaweed or driftwood.
- Total your data sheets at the end of the survey and hand in to the organiser.
- Weigh your litter bag.
- Most importantly – Have fun!
