This year, after handing litter sticks and bags over to the
Boathouse Cafe, volunteers including members of the Greenprint
Forum, Suffolk Coastal and Suffolk Coastal Services strolled along
the shingle from Bawdsey Quay to Bawdsey Point to survey and pick
litter.
This was done in aid of the
Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch (new
window), which runs on beaches around the country every
third weekend in September and in this part of the world is
supported by Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB.
This is a very valuable survey, giving a snapshot of the
quantities and sources of litter on UK beaches to enable the Marine
Conservation Society to tackle waste at source and to raise
awareness of the waste that can endanger marine animals and spoil
our enjoyment of our beaches.
Volunteers collect and record each item of litter found along a
minimum 100 metre stretch of beach between the high water
strandline and the top of the useable beach (we did two 100 x 150
metre stretches, one on the high tide mark and one at the top of
the useable beach).
Although at first glance the beach appeared clean its has to be
said that it would be difficult to find a spot on the beach to sit
down without some items of litter being present. The group filled 3
bags with recyclables - these were sent to Viridor at Great
Blakenham for recycling, 1 box with glass which was taken to
Foxhall for recycling, and 4 bags full of other waste. Glass
(broken or in bottles) and plastic dominated the finds with some
sanitary waste (tampons and nappies) and dogs waste also
found. The most interesting find was an abandoned tent
complete with gas canisters, saucepans, rugs and a lot of bags full
of rubbish.
After surveying and picking we all went for a refreshing free
cup of tea at the Boat House Cafe, and some of us purchased some of
their lovely food. Adnams vouchers were also given to all adult
volunteers. Everyone who came said they enjoyed it and many were
keen to do it again next year. Although it would be much better if
people did not litter the beach in the first place it is a not a
bad way to spend a morning with like-minded
people.