International Coastal Cleanup - Do Your Part!

As you know one of our promises here at Shay and Blue is to be good to the planet. One of the ways we are trying to improve our sustainability as a brand is through cutting down packaging waste and making as much of our packaging from box to bottle to be recyclable as possible. Along with recycling there are many ways you can help our planet simply cleaning up after yourself when visiting the park and the beach is one! Find out more about how you can take part in the The International Coastal Cleanup and you can stop more unnecessary rubbish going into the ocean! 

The International Coastal Cleanup began more than 30 years ago, when communities rallied together with the common goal of collecting and documenting the rubbish littering their coastline. The movement was catalyzed by the passion and spirit of two committed individuals. Back in 1986, Linda Maraniss moved to Texas from Washington, DC, where she had been working for Ocean Conservancy. She’d been inspired by the work her Ocean Conservancy colleague Kathy O’Hara was doing on a groundbreaking report called Plastics in the Ocean: More than a Litter Problem that would be published the next year.

Linda and Kathy reached out to the Texas General Land Office, local businesses and other dedicated ocean-lovers, and planned what would become Ocean Conservancy’s first Cleanup. They asked volunteers to go beyond picking up trash and record each item collected on a standardized data card in order to identify ways to eliminate ocean trash in the future.

The Cleanup has grown immensely in the 30 years since Linda and Kathy’s first Cleanup. Volunteers from states and territories throughout the U.S. and more than 100 countries come together each year and participate in a Cleanup event near them.

Download the Clean Swell app and document the rubbish you collect or start your own Cleanup at a beach near you.

10 Beaches In The UK

If you want to take part in The International Coastal Cleanup but don't know where to start simply grab a bag and get yourself to your local beach! Here are 10 beaches across the UK which would be a great place to start. Once you have taken part in The Coastal Cleanup why not explore everything the town has to offer too..

10. Hastings, East Sussex

An expansive sand and shingle beach backed by grand whitewashed Edwardian hotels, a two-layered promenade, and a Victorian pier combine to make Hastings an archetypal British seaside town. The steep grassy hillside nearby leads to an ancient and ruined castle which was the first in England to be built by William the Conqueror. The town itself is steeped in history, and takes pride in its heritage as the location of the famed battle of 1066 which takes its name.

History lovers will fall head over heels for Hastings. Head to Battle Abbey to hear the story of Hastings’ innumerable historic invasions. Visit the Old Town and admire the impressive architecture which ranges from Medieval to Victorian. Wind through the many narrow streets and passages known as ‘twittens’, or spend an afternoon exploring Hastings Museum and Art Gallery. After cleaning up the beach of course. 

9. Deal, Kent

A vast sandy beach backed by pastel shaded hotels, Deal is a breath of fresh air and the perfect escape from city life. The pier has been modernised to feature a restaurant instead of the typical arcades, so you can enjoy the sea view over lunch.

The broad, pedestrianised town centre is home to fascinating selection of antique and bric-a-brac shops. Wander through the winding streets to discover period furniture, jewellery and curios.

8. Shanklin, Isle of Wight

The delightful seaside resort of Shanklin features charming thatched cottages, chintzy tea rooms, and a great selection of gift shops. Brightly coloured beach huts line the soft sands of Shanklin Beach, all of which contribute to make this village on the Isle of Wight a brilliant destination for traditional seaside breaks.

No trip to the Isle of Wight would be complete without sampling a famous cream tea. The innumerable tea rooms in Shanklin boast some of the best afternoon teas on the island, from the traditional pot of tea and scones piled high with clotted cream and jam, to the modern take on an old favourite which might include finger sandwiches, miniature pastries and cakes, and even Champagne.

7. Cromer, Norfolk

This traditional seaside resort rose to prominence in the Victorian period, and you’ll still see plenty of the original features today, including the pier and much of the town’s architecture. The Pavilion Theatre is the UK’s only remaining end of the pier variety show. Cromer prides itself on its independent cafes, bars and restaurants, many of which have been family run institutions for generations, and which give the town its own unique character.

Head to one of the many independent restaurants in Cromer to sample the famous Cromer crab. Traditionally the delicious crab meat is cooked, seasoned and then stuffed into the crab shell and served with a salad garnish, but you'll also find tasty terrines and crab sandwiches too

6. Worthing, West Sussex

Pull up your deckchair on the fine shingle beach at Worthing, and admire the far-reaching views. Worthing is a traditional seaside town with a modern twist. Residents can enjoy all the typical coastal activities, like strolling along the promenade, indulging in ice creams and visiting the Pier, but Worthing also has plenty of unique quirks, from a vintage cinema to an Iron age fort, and micro pubs to beach hut art studios.

The iconic Worthing Pier makes the focal point of the seafront, with a stunning Art Deco pavilion and all the usual pier-side amusements, like an arcade, café and fairground. Worthing Pier has come runner up in the Pier of the Year Award in 2016 and 2017.

5. Bamburgh, Northumberland

Rugged countryside, dune-fringed beaches, and ancient and iconic architecture makes Bamburgh one of Britain’s best seaside destinations. Enjoy windswept walks along the coast, spend the day exploring Bamburgh Castle, or simply enjoy the solitude of this secluded seaside location.

From Bamburgh you can watch a huge variety of seabirds, from shags and guillemots to puffins. Seals and harbour porpoises can also often be spotted playing in the waves. Take a boat trip to the Farne Islands, where the birds nest in their thousands every year.

4. St Ives, Cornwall

A favourite destination for summer holidays, St Ives has a bustling, lively atmosphere during the summer months. Make the most of the many restaurants, cafes and bars in St Ives, and meet people from all walks of life come to make the most of the British sunshine.

St Ives is a subtropical oasis nestled in the corner of Britain. Enjoy plenty of sunny weather, balmy summer evenings and mild spring and autumn temperatures. Even the plants here seem to belong to another part of the world.

3. Whitby, North Yorkshire

With Blue Flag beach, rugged coastal walks, delicious fish and chips and ice creams, and the steep, winding cobbled paths of Whitby’s town centre, it's easy to see the unique character to this seaside resort.

Perhaps it’s Whitby’s ties with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, it could be the popularity of the famed Whitby Jet gemstone, or maybe it’s the imposing Abbey ruins casting long shadows over the harbour below. Whatever it is, Whitby has become a mecca for goths, who descend on the town in their droves. People watching has never been so fascinating.

2. Weymouth, Dorset

Weymouth is a great place to visit the seaside for older people, as the safe shallow waters are ideal for paddling, and the picturesque harbour is a joy to admire, with traditional fishing trawlers and luxury yachts framed by the pretty pastel shades of the surrounding houses.

Boasting several enviable titles, Weymouth Beach was recently announced as #1 beach in the UK in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards 2017, and has also been ranked 9th best beach in Europe. The golden sandy swathe is part of the World Heritage Jurassic Coastline.

1.Salcombe, Devon

A picturesque harbour surrounded by pastel-hued buildings rising gently uphill, Salcombe typifies the nautical beauty of South Devon. You’ll find plenty of beaches close to Salcombe, each one suited to a different day out. From North Sands with the ever-popular Winking Prawn café, to the secluded and picturesque Sunny Cove which is accessible only by ferry.

Whether it’s to access more distant beaches, or to admire the beautiful Devon coastline and wildlife, daily ferries depart from Salcombe harbour to all manner of destinations. You can even climb aboard angling boats for your own sea fishing experience.

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References:

https://www.mccarthyandstone.co.uk/life-and-living/explore/lifestyle/the-top-10-british-seaside-towns/

https://oceanconservancy.org/trash-free-seas/international-coastal-cleanup/