Over 6,000 M&S customers and employees cleaned over 100
beaches and canals up and down the country this weekend
(Friday to Sunday) in the first ever M&S Big Beach
Clean-up, organised by the Marine Conservation Society.
Early results* indicate that over 3,200 bin bags full of
litter were collected, weighing in at over 11,500 kg. This
included 12,800 wrappers and 2,850 tin cans. Surprisingly
big beach cleaners also found a set of false teeth and half
a sofa in Edinburgh, a cabinet near Liverpool, a ten-pin
bowling ball off the coast of Deal, a carpet in Clacton and
a pink thong on Shoreham beach.
Steve Rowe, Director of Retail at Marks & Spencer and
Clacton beach cleaner said: "It's great to see so many
customers and employees getting directly involved in Plan
A. MCS surveys show that there are almost two pieces of
litter on every metre of UK coastline - thanks to the
efforts put in over the weekend, our seas and rivers are
now cleaner and our coastline environment is in better
shape. We're passionate about protecting our marine
life and I'd like to extend a huge thank-you to
everyone who rolled their sleeves up and got involved."
Samantha Fanshawe, MCS Chief Executive, said: "The Marine
Conservation Society is really grateful to the thousands of
volunteers and M&S staff that supported the Big Beach
Clean-ups around the UK. It highlights the public's
concern about the unacceptable amounts of litter on our
beaches and their support has made a real difference. The
litter collected will no longer pose a threat to wildlife,
and the information gathered will be used by MCS to
identify the most common items and how we can stop litter
at source. Working together with M&S has mobilized positive
action on a huge scale and focused attention on an issue
that everyone can help prevent."
The M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of Forever Fish,
M&S' campaign to help customers and their children
learn more about fish, clean our British beaches and
protect UK marine life. It is funded by the 5p carrier bag
charge in M&S foodhalls. Since its introduction in 2008,
the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 80 per cent and
raised over £4 million for charity.
Customers can find out more www.marksandspencer.com/plana
and http://www.school-of-fish.co.uk/.
-Ends-
Notes to editors
* Figures used are early estimates based on results at
selected beaches. A full set of results will be published
by the Marine Conservation Society in July.
The Marine Conservation Society
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity
dedicated to protecting our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS
campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable
fisheries, and protection of marine life. Through
education, community involvement and collaboration, MCS
raises awareness of the many threats that face our seas and
promotes individual, industry and government action to
protect the marine environment. MCS produces the annual
Good Beach Guide, the Good Fish Guide and Fishonline on
sustainable seafood, as well as involving thousands of
volunteers in projects and surveys such as MCS Beachwatch
and The Big Beach Clean-up. http://www.mcsuk.org/.
Further information
Marks & Spencer: Daniel Himsworth, 0208 718 1618
daniel.himsworth@marksandspencer.com
Marine Conservation Society: Richard Harrington, 01989
561585
richard.harrington@mcsuk.org
Recommend:
