Penarth Source to Sea beach clean
Join this beach clean to help us stop harmful litter from reaching the ocean and collect vital data that we can use to bring about positive change for our seas.
Join us on Saturday 3rd October for a special Source to Sea beach clean in Penarth! We’ll meet at Penarth Leisure Centre at 12:00pm, where we’ll have a short introduction and safety briefing before splitting into groups. Each group will follow a designated route towards Penarth Pier, collecting and recording litter along the way. Once we reach the coast, we’ll regroup and finish with a beach clean.
Why Source to Sea? Litter dropped in our streets, parks and waterways can ultimately find its way into the ocean. In fact, 80% of the pollution found on UK beaches comes from inland sources. The Source to Sea Litter Quest helps track common litter items back towards their source. By taking part, you won’t just be picking up litter — you’ll also be helping to collect valuable data about the types of litter found in our local area and how it can reach the sea. The information collected contributes to the Marine Conservation Society’s wider work to understand ocean pollution and campaign for change at its source. It also sits alongside their Beachwatch programme, where volunteers become citizen scientists by recording the litter they find on beaches.
Who can take part? The event is open to everyone! You can sign up individually or get a group together. We’d love to see local clubs, schools, workplaces, community groups, sports teams and organisations joining us. Whether this is your first clean-up or you’re a regular volunteer, everyone can get involved. We expect the event to finish at approximately 2:00pm, and we’re hoping to provide coffee afterwards for everyone who has taken part.
What to bring: Please wear weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy, comfortable footwear, as the route may include uneven or muddy areas. We recommend bringing:
• Water and any snacks you may need
• A waterproof jacket
• Sun cream and a hat if needed
• Garden gloves
We’ll provide all litter-picking equipment, collection bags, and necessary PPE. The route will be approximately 1.5–2 miles (2.5–3 km), including the journey from the Leisure Centre to Penarth Pier and the clean-up. Please check the weather forecast before attending and dress appropriately for the conditions. Children are welcome but must be supervised by a responsible adult. If you have any questions, please contact us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Also worth knowing…
What to bring: We’d recommend you pack a rucksack with a few essentials like sunscreen, waterproofs, hand sanitiser, and perhaps some snacks and a drink (in a reusable bottle, of course).
What to wear: If you're picking up litter with your hands it's worth wearing a strong pair of gloves - like gardening gloves - just to make sure you're protected. Sturdy shoes are a must for protection too.
Under 16s: To comply with our insurance, volunteers under 16 will need to be accompanied by an adult who will be asked to sign a parental / guardian consent form on the day by the beach clean organiser.
