Brooms, fridges and shoes among haul at 34th Great Dorset Beach Clean

Paul JonesApril 10, 20240 Comment0

MORE than 100kg of rubbish – including brooms, a fridge and even shoes – was collected from just one Dorset beach during an annual coastal litter pick.

Organisers hailed the 34th Great Dorset Beach Clean a resounding success after more than 200 dedicated volunteers came together to clean up eight county beaches.

Despite challenging windy conditions, participants worked tirelessly to clear marine litter, much of which was brought in by recent storms, organisers said.

Common items found during the cleanup included fishing gear, hard plastics, and nurdles, as well as more unusual items like brooms, a fridge, and the occasional shoe.

Volunteers collected hundreds of kilograms of rubbish, including removing 104kg of litter in just two hours from Kimmeridge Bay.

Just some of the litter collected at Kimmeridge Bay during the 34th Great Dorset Beach Clean

As well as collecting litter, volunteers also collect data, which is shared with organisations like the Marine Conservation Society and Surfers Against Sewage.

The information then plays a role in informing government policies aimed at reducing litter and protecting marine environments.

The Great Dorset Beach Clean is a free, family-friendly event, attracting individuals from all different ages and backgrounds.

Hunting litter in beautiful surroundings during the Great Dorset Beach Clean

Kim Ford, one of the volunteers who attended the Kimmeridge clean, said: “Me and mum join the beach clean every year at different locations and wherever we go there is always a wonderful sense of community.

“Everyone pulls together to get the job done and we always have such a laugh at the same time.

“We’ve been going for 10 years now and will be continuing for the next 10 at least.”

People who attended the clean, or who took part in their own, can spread the message by tagging @litterfreedorset in social media photos, as well as using the hashtag, #GDBC24.