Retail giant Marks & Spencer is calling on British customers to join its team of employees to take part in the 2015 Big Beach Clean-Up.
The call for volunteers comes after the Marine Conservation Society published a survey last week which showed that litter on British beaches rose by 6.4 per cent last year.
Next month, the fourth annual clean up will clear litter from 135 beaches and canals across Britain with over 8,000 people expected to take part.
Samantha Fanshawe, Marine Conservation Society Cchief executive, said, “The Big Beach Clean-up has grown year on year, involving thousands of amazing volunteers ready to don gloves and bags and pick up the rubbish left behind by others, washed down from rivers or discarded from fishing boats and ships.
"This fantastic partnership between M&S, charities and communities raises awareness of the issue and the need for nation-wide action across government, industry and voluntary sectors to stop litter at source.”
According to M&S, most of the litter collected will be common waste items such as wrappers, drink bottles and lids as well as fishing lines.
Last year’s Big Beach Clean-up cleared 10,950 cotton buds, 21,900 wrappers and 55,600 plastic pieces. Cleaners also found an array of unusual items including false teeth, a hammer, a plastic leg, two motorbikes, a Smurf, a breast implant and an Action Man.
Sacha Berendji, director of retail at Marks & Spencer, said, “The Big Beach Clean Up is a great way to support the community and help safeguard the future of UK fish stocks. Clean waterways and beaches mean clean seas and our store colleagues up and down the country will be making preparations to clean their local beach or canal. We want as many customers as possible to be alongside them in May, it’s a simple, fun way to volunteer and make a difference.”
The event is part of M&S’ 'Forever Fish' campaign which is funded by the profits from the 5p carrier bag charge in M&S food-halls. Since its introduction in 2008, the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 75 per cent and raised over £8 million for good causes.
© 2015 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Ciara Mooney.
