Last call for volunteers to join in Donegal’s big beach clean

17 groups and more than 250 volunteers who reside in Donegal are all set to join clean coasts for the big beach clean this September 20 to 22, supported by Kia Ireland to make a positive impact on the Irish coast and waterways. With the deadline for registering fast approaching, this is a final reminder to volunteers to sign up before September 11 to avail of free kit, while stocks last.

The big beach clean is part of the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) organised by the Ocean Conservancy, and is  an annual call-to-action for individuals, families, and communities to join forces to carry out a clean-up at the end of the bathing season and join a worldwide citizen science project.  

This year, clean-ups will be happening in various locations, including Rathmullan, Culdaff, Dunfanaghy and Mountcharles. A list of clean-ups happening in Donegal can be found on the clean coasts website. 

In 2023, over 400 groups registered to host a clean-up, with 7,700 volunteers removing a staggering 46 tonnes of litter all across the country. This year looks set to see groups from all over Ireland turn out in huge numbers. 

Last year, Donegal had over 200 volunteers who took part in the 2023 big beach clean and made a huge difference to their county collecting 1.2 tonnes of litter. 

Culdaff's Tidy Towns taking part in a clean up last year

A recent national litter survey by business group Irish Business Against Litter (IBAL) revealed that since the introduction of the Government’s Deposit Return Scheme there has been a fall in cans and plastic bottles on our streets contributing to an overall improvement in litter levels.  There was a rise in the number of sites deemed clean across the country, with a significant fall in those judged to be ‘heavily littered’. Cigarette butts, one of this year’s top marine litter offenders, remains stubbornly high, present in 31% of the 500+ sites surveyed by IBAL. 

Liane and two girls with a sign last year

 "We are thrilled to see such large numbers already signed up for the  Big Beach Clean 2024” commented Bronagh Moore, An Taisce’s clean coasts manager.

“It’s a fantastic way for individuals, clubs and communities to come together and be part of a powerful movement working to protect our coastlines and waterways. By recording and reporting on the litter collected, we are not only cleaning up our beaches but providing important data that can influence and lead to impactful global campaigns and changes in policy. It’s a great opportunity to be involved in a global effort to protect our ocean."

"Kia Ireland is delighted to see so many community groups and individuals nationwide signing up for the Big Beach Clean” said Cathal Kealey from Kia Ireland.

“As a brand committed to our journey towards Carbon Neutrality we are proud to support such an important initiative. Our support will ensure that cleanup kits are distributed to volunteers that sign up to registered cleanups across the country. In line with our global clean up initiatives that are designed to combat ocean pollution, we would urge as many people as possible to register for their local beach clean this September.  We are looking forward to joining some of  the many groups across the country from the weekend of September 20 to 22.”

Registrations will close at 5pm on September 11. For more information and to register, visit www.cleancoasts.org.