Let’s be very clear about this. Keeping our seasides and countryside clear of litter, rubbish and pollution is vital. It’s our duty. We need to protect the environment, the wildlife and indeed the planet. We need to do it for ourselves too. How else will we be able to enjoy the wonderful spaces and places that we love?
So let’s be clear about some fundamentals. Leaving litter is harmful. It’s one of the main causes of pollution. A discarded sandwich wrapper or plastic bottle might seem harmless enough, but it isn’t. It’s estimated that 2 million pieces of litter are dropped every day in the UK alone. Small animals can eat litter or crawl into bottles and jars. A six pack plastic ring holder can strangle a small animal and a plastic bag can suffocate. And it’s not just about big pieces of litter, like bottles, either.
Tiny pieces of plastic can be ingested by animals and birds. Those microplastics really harm wildlife in the short term. They have a long term effect too, as they work their way around the globe and through the food chain. Microplastics have been found in not only seafood, but fruits and vegetables, proteins and more.
The poisons contained in many substances, like plastics, find their way into soil and freshwater sources, affecting wildlife and humans alike. The chemical composition of much litter is itself also dangerous in the long term. If it’s not removed from the landscape it can take years to degrade.
The 5R’s of waste management
It’s never been more important for us to make conscious changes to our behaviour. Remember the 5 R’s to help the planet:
Refuse to contribute to waste by saying no to disposable items
Reduce the amount of things you buy and consume
Reuse what you’ve already got or what others are giving away, or even borrow from family, friends and community groups
Repurpose items that may not be useful anymore into something else
Recycle is the last resort here, so if you really have to discard of something, make sure it can be recycled, make sure it’s empty and clean, and make sure you’re not “wishcycling”, ie throwing things in your recycling bin and hoping for the best!
Keep Britain Tidy
Let’s also be clear that people are taking action!
The Keep Britain Tidy campaign has been part of our culture since the 1950s. Nationally known and still delivering results on your doorstep, Keep Britain Tidy is as active and successful as ever.
Since the ladies of the WI passed a resolution to ‘Keep Britain Tidy’ back in 1954, this organisation has used celebrity endorsement, from Chris Packham, Kirsty Allsop and even the Wombles to create hard-hitting advertising and political pressure, enabling Acts of Parliament and Awards Schemes to be created with the sole aim of reducing litter and its harmful effects.
Oulton Broad on the Broads National Park, close to Broadlands Park & Marina
Alongside wider campaigns, organisations, community teams and volunteer groups are putting in the effort all over the country.
NORFOLK, SUFFOLK & THE BROADS NATIONAL PARK
East Anglia is blessed with wonderful countryside and beautiful beaches. The Broads National Park is the jewel in the areas crown, of course. These three hundred or more square kilometres of genuinely unique waterways are home to over a quarter of the UK’s rarest species. It’s no wonder that Norfolk & Suffolk are a favourite location for holiday home ownership. Top locations include Broadlands Park & Marina, Caldecott Hall Country Park and Waveney River Centre.
Long thought to be a natural phenomenon, we now know that the Broads are man-made. They are flooded medieval peat diggings. Today their low horizons, wide skies and landscape of landmarks and windmills are the backdrop to one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations.
The Broads Authority
Protecting the Broads environment, whilst allowing people to enjoy it, is a difficult balancing act. One of the most influential bodies dedicated to getting it right is The Broads Authority. Set up by Act of Parliament in 1988, it was operational by 1989 and has remained a key player ever since. It has stayed true to its original objectives of the conservation, planning, recreation and waterways of the Norfolk Broads.
Great Broads Clean Up
Sometimes, rather than a sizeable organisation, it’s an individual who can help. In the spirit of Broads conservation, the story of William Darling is a heartening episode. Back in 2018, keen kayaker Will covered a one-mile stretch of The Broads. In those couple of hours of paddling he encountered 65 separate pieces of rubbish in the water. Will was only 13 when he started his ‘Great Broads Clean Up’. He’s gone on to gain sponsorship from Anglian Water, complete a circumnavigation of the Broads and make a real difference to the area’s environment.
Norfolk Beach Cleans
Closer to the coast, Norfolk Beach Cleans is another real showcase for community spirit and environmental awareness. Set up in 2021 by Emma Sturman, Norfolk Beach Cleans is all about getting the Norfolk community involved with clearing and cleaning the county’s beaches.
Zero waste stores are more and more popular around the UK, like Uncle Sid’s Zero Waste close to North Denes caravan park
Lowestoft Time Bank
There’s more East Anglian beach cleaning activity in Lowestoft, close to North Denes Caravan Park. Lowestoft Time Bank regularly host beach cleans at North Denes beach - it’s a real team effort with volunteers offering their skills and knowledge.
Uncle Sid’s Zero Waste Store
And just a short walk to the historic Lowestoft High Street, you’ll find Uncle Sid’s Zero Waste store, the UK’s most easterly refill shop. Just save up your old containers and take them in to refill anything you may need, from hand soap and washing up liquid to spices, dried goods and even sweets. One of the key elements of the 5R’s to help the planet mentioned earlier is to reduce and reuse, and the easiest way to do that is to reduce the amount of packaging you purchase and reuse what you already have - Zero Waste and Refill stores around the country can help you do that!
Seals find their home on the Lincolnshire coast, close to Mablethorpe Chalet & Caravan Park
THE LINCOLNSHIRE WOLDS & COAST
From the Wolds to the seaside at Skegness, Lincolnshire is a holiday joy. All over the county people are increasingly keen on looking after Lincolnshire.
Great British Spring Clean Campaign ON THE Lincolnshire WOLDS
The Lincolnshire Wolds is an Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB) and as such, deserves and needs as much protection as possible. Linked to Keep Britain Tidy’s ‘Great British Spring Clean Campaign’, North East Lincolnshire Council is asking residents to pledge to pick one bag of litter - or more if they can - from the area’s streets and public places. It’s awareness and action on this scale that makes a difference.
THE LINCOLNSHIRE COAST
The Lincolnshire Coast is an environmentally aware area; back in 2020, Sutton on Sea and Mablethorpe were awarded Plastic Free Community Status, an initiative by Surfers Against Sewage. To qualify as a Plastic Free Community, communities must follow a 5 objectives; engaging the local council, nominating community business champions and community allies, mobilising the community with actions and events, and forming a group of local stakeholders to regularly analyse the campaign.
Mablethorpe beach was ranked the top beach to visit in the summer of 2022, part of what makes Mablethorpe Chalet & Caravan Park is a firm favourite for holiday home owners. It’s at Lincolnshire’s Mablethorpe Beach where another Beach Clean initiative is under way. As part of the Plastic Free Community Status, Mablethorpe BeachCare delivered by Keep Britain Tidy hold regular clean ups.
LINCOLNSHIRE WILDLIFE TRUST
The Widlife Trust are committed to protecting and enhancing the environment across the UK, and that includes The Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust. Take a look at their Take Local Action campaign, which encourages local communities to take local action through beach cleans, volunteering, fundraising and citizen surveys.
The coastline at Bridlington, close to South Shore holiday park
The Yorkshire Coast
Cleveland is cleaning up
Who doesn’t love Cleveland? Holiday home owners at Tingdene Redcar Beach are certainly in the fan club. And there’s a lot going on to protect and keep clean the beaches and countryside that make North Yorkshire so popular. It’s a richly diverse coastal area with a combination of industrial legacy and natural beauty.
Beach Cleans are big news in Cleveland - check out Keeping It Clean at Saltburn and Friends of Redcar for more information on local litterpicking initiatives.
Bridlington is doing its bit
On the Yorkshire coast, close to Tingdene South Shore, the classic seaside town of Bridlington is doing its bit to be on top of keeping clean. The famous and always popular Bridlington North Beach has been awarded the prestigious Seaside Award and the Keep Britain Tidy Award.
Community litter organisations
Having looked at some very local initiatives it’s important to consider some of the national organisations and groups dedicated to keeping us clear and clean.
Motorhomes and Caravans Against Litter is a community organisation with insight into how a group can approach the problem of caring for the environment. They show how you can enjoy the countryside and seaside and you can care for it too.
Head to Marine Conservation Society website and punch in your post code to find who you can help with a beach clean near you. Or check out Surfers Against Sewage and register your beach clean finds with them, supporting their research into the worst plastic polluting companies.
Does litter picking make a difference?
We can all make a difference. From volunteering regularly, taking part in an organised beach clean, or just paying attention to your surroundings when you’re next on a walk. Try this checklist:
Whenever you're on a walk take a bin bag with you.
Pick up a few pieces of rubbish on your way, and dispose of it responsibly at the end of your walk.Always take your litter away with you.
Pick up litter every time you visit the beach.
Not everyone thinks like you so be prepared to help by taking other people’s litter away as well.Record what you find on your beach clean-up.
You can log your litter picking efforts with Keep Britain Tidy, “actively supporting our campaigns for a deposit return scheme and extended producer responsibility.”Plastic is NOT fantastic.
Remember:Avoid single-use plastic wherever possible.
Use a reusable water bottle or coffee cup
Cut through things like plastic can rings, the loops on your milk carton or the netting from your fruit.
Inflatables are fun to have, but borrow and share to limit their numbers
Take all your beach toys, chairs, beds and kit home with you.
Don’t leave that parasol or fold-up chair - even if it’s broken.
Don’t make it someone else’s problem.
Educate yourself on wider issues in your local community and beyond.
Zoom in on personal changes you can make.
Balloons aren’t always kind.
Don’t release balloons or sky lanterns to mark special occasions. When they land they pollute. It’s better to go for more environment and wildlife-friendly choices. Why not plant beautiful flowers as a memory instead?
So, it’s important to know that all over the country there are ways in which we can all help keep our beaches and countryside clean. It’s never been more important. There are more of us now. More of us want to spend more time in our countryside and on our beaches. We need to think greener.
UK holiday home ownership is in itself an idea with green credentials. Just think about the air miles you’re not burning into the atmosphere when you holiday in your own UK holiday home. But, when it comes to our local environment, if we’re going to use it we mustn’t abuse it. About that, let’s be clear….