Almost 300 Tipperary volunteers get involved in Big Beach Clean 2024

Clean Coasts received overwhelming support and commitment from volunteers and communities across Ireland for the Big Beach Clean weekend that took place between September 20 and 22. 

This year, a record number of over 600 clean-up events were organised by volunteers who removed over 95 tonnes of litter nationwide, making this Clean Coasts’ largest clean-up event yet.  

Once more, with support from the National Spring Clean initiative, volunteers were asked to join the call to action, no matter how far from the coast.

Reports show that the majority of marine litter comes from land based activities and litter dropped in towns and cities ends up on beaches.

Getting involved in the Big Beach Clean has been a way for residents of non-coastal counties to help prevent litter entering our waterways.

In Tipperary, 15 groups and close to 300 volunteers removed an estimated 1.7 tonnes of marine litter with clean-ups taking place in various locations.  

Among them, volunteers from Carrick on Suir and District Lions Club carried out a clean of the River Suir and its banks.

Members from the Carrick Paddlers also went on the river and collected rubbish and litter in their boats. The teams picked up a lot of large litter from the river including a piano keyboard, scrap metal and traffic cones.

Clean Coasts joined forces with Kia Ireland who supported the initiative this year by providing clean-ups kits and supplies to our volunteers throughout the country. 

The Big Beach Clean is an annual call to action that runs as part of the International Coastal Cleanup, operated internationally by Ocean Conservancy and invites communities and volunteers around the country to remove litter from around the Irish coast after the end of the bathing season.  

Each year this initiative is also an opportunity for Big Beach Clean volunteers to get involved in a worldwide citizen science project, which entails collecting the amount and types of litter on Irish beaches and filling in Clean Coasts’ Marine Litter Data Cards to share with Ocean Conservancy, help heighten awareness about the issue of marine litter serving as an indicator of the magnitude of the problem and help shape future policies and campaigns.

In 2023, the top three items recorded during the Big Beach Clean weekend were plastic caps and bottles, cigarette butts and food wrappers.

Data from the International Coastal Cleanup has led to policies banning single-use plastics like bags, straws, and utensils, and has influenced global efforts to reduce ocean pollution.

It has contributed to international agreements, national waste management reforms, and extended producer responsibility programs.

These findings also support initiatives like littering fines, improved recycling, and the promotion of a circular economy. Additionally, the data helps raise public awareness and drive educational programs on sustainable practices to protect marine ecosystems.

Bronagh Moore, An Taisce, Clean Coasts Programme Manager said; "We’re delighted to see so many volunteers and community groups across the country take part in The Big Beach Clean. This year’s event was the largest yet and is a powerful reminder of the collective impact we can make when we work together. The dedication and support of all of these groups is hugely inspiring and we thank each and every one of them for their contribution. We would encourage everyone to stay involved, keep active in their local Clean Coasts Group and enjoy the many benefits that come with volunteering in the community".