Great British Beach Clean heading to Cramond this week – here’s how to get involved

Locals are being asked to organise their own private beach cleans.

The annual Great British Beach Clean is back this week – and Edinburgh locals are being encouraged to sign up and help de-clutter Cramond beach as part of this year's event.

This year marks two decades of the Marine Conservation Society surveying and cleaning Cramond beach, with scores of volunteers showing up year after year to support the charity’s efforts.

Over the years, the work done by volunteers along Cramond beach – and the data collected – has contributed to a number of successful campaigns and policy changes to stop litter at source.

Volunteers are being sought to take part in the Great British Beach Clean, as Cramond beach marks 20 years of citizen science.

This year, the Marine Conservation Society says it needs more people than ever to organise their own small, private and local beach cleans.

The Great British Beach Clean starts this week, running from Friday, September 18 to Friday September 25.

Edinburgh City Council is supporting efforts for this year’s Great British Beach Clean, as Cramond marks 20 years of citizen science.

Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener, said: “Our waste teams are all working really hard throughout Edinburgh to keep the city clean so we really appreciate seeing local people getting involved in these events and taking ownership of and responsibility for the environment they live in.

“Our staff will be supporting the event and making sure they have the equipment they need to be safe and we’ll dispose of the waste collected.

“We’ve noticed people have been dropping masks and gloves in the street as well as other litter, which can end up on our beautiful beaches, so please everyone, bin your litter or take it home with you.”

Calum Duncan, Head of Conservation Scotland at the Marine Conservation Society, said: “Whilst the ongoing tide of rubbish and plastic could be demoralising, over the years there has been a huge swell in public support for our projects.

“To see the public pushing for, and enthusiastic about, transformative change has instead been inspiring and motivating.

“As a result of the data collected by our incredible volunteers we have helped secure Scotland's carrier bag charge, a ban on plastic-stemmed cotton buds, Scotland's Marine Litter Strategy and the Deposit Return Scheme for cans and bottles due in 2022.”

To become a Beachwatch Organiser please visit the website here.

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