This October we, alongside The Crown Estate, Greggs, Parley for the Oceans and Ecover delivered the biggest Autumn Beach Clean the UK has ever seen.

Over 12,300 inspired individuals of all ages joined us at over 350 beaches, river banks and lakes across the UK to remove a staggering 34,913kg of marine plastic pollution. Amongst this more than 11,450 single-use plastic bottles were removed for recycling via SAS’s pioneering Ocean Plastic Recycling partnerships with Ecover and Parley for the Oceans.

This community effort marked the largest and most impactful of its kind in the winter months with volunteers donating 53,000 hours of their time, worth £472,900 to the nation’s coastal communities  said SAS Community Coordinator Jack Middleton

 Top 10 Autumn Beach Clean 2017 Tales

• 356 – SAS Autumn Beach Clean 2017 events took place across all regions of the UK
• 12,367 – SAS Autumn Beach Clean  2017 volunteers
• 34,913kg – Of marine litter removed from the UK’s coastline
• 53,000 Hours – Donated by SAS Autumn Beach Clean 2017 volunteers
• 11,450 – Single-use plastic bottles removed and recycled with Ecover
• Spooky ‘HallowClean’ Finds – a skeleton, a range of Ken doll heads, a soul-harvesting scythe and a creepy doll arm to name a few of the more Halloween-themed litter items found
• Lake Windermere and River Avon – Thanks to students from the University of Cumbria and the Avon Gorge community the UK’s most well known lake and our longest river received much needed attention.
• Government Rep – From Natalie Bennett and South Tyneside’s Green Party to Phelim McCafferty, 6 MPs, MSPs, Mayors and local Councillors volunteered at beach cleans
• 38 – Schools and Universities organised cleans across the UK
• 60 Years – The age difference between SAS’s oldest (72) and youngest (12) Beach Clean Leader

By combining the incredible efforts and enthusiasm of our 35,000 strong beach clean army with campaign successes like the 5p carrier bag charge and the impending introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme on plastic drinks containers across the UK, we demonstrate that by taking small, positive steps together we truly can turn the tide on plastic pollution. Said SAS CEO Hugo Tagholm

While the main week of the Autumn Beach Clean may be over, that doesn’t mean you can’t still do a beach clean! Whether it is organising your own, attending a pre-arranged clean or do a Mini Beach Clean, we want to hear from you! Email Jack at [email protected] for more information.

We would like to thank lead sponsor The Crown Estate, Greggs, Parley for the Oceans and Ecover for their ongoing support.