Keep Wales Tidy is launching an ambitious new campaign to clean up every public beach in Wales, in partnership with McDonald’s. The All Wales Beach Clean will take place from the 14th to 30th of September, with clean up events planned forevery public beach in Wales.
Marine litter poses a growing threat to our aquatic and coastal environment. Up to 12.7 million tonnes of plastic enters the world’s oceans every year, equivalent to dumping one bin lorry of plastic per minute into the world’s oceans.
Community groups, schools and businesses from across Wales will be joining the two weeks of action.
Of course, the issue of marine litter isn’t just relevant to coastal communities – in fact 80% is from land-based sources – so, Keep Wales Tidy will also be targeting rivers and other watercourses as part of the campaign.
Lesley Jones, Chief Executive for Keep Wales Tidy said:
“We’re all responsible for the health of our oceans, so it’s crucial that we come together to make a real and lasting difference to our marine environment.
“We are excited to be working in partnership on this brand-new and ambitious clean-up campaign. We want to show the rest of the world that Wales is rising to the challenge of tackling marine pollution.”
The All Wales Beach Clean is being supported by McDonald’s, with volunteers from restaurants up and down the country planning on giving up their time to clean up their local beach.
Franchisee Ron Mounsey, who owns and operates 15 restaurants in South Wales, says:
“I’m thrilled that McDonald’s is lending it’s support to this initiative, and look forward to seeing teams from McDonalds’s restaurants across Wales getting involved come September. As a business we’re committed to working to reduce litter and waste in our local communities, including the beaches we know and love. This year McDonald’s will also be phasing out the use of plastic straws in our restaurants, using paper straws instead. These paper straws will be sourced from two suppliers, one of which is based in Wales.”
The campaign has also received funding via the Regional Tourism Engagement Fund (RTEF) supported through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and the Welsh Government.
To get involved, visit the Keep Wales Tidy website: www.keepwalestidy.cymru
