University of Exeter Environment and Sustainability Institute Leads Community Beach Clean to Combat Plastic Pollution

In a concerted effort to tackle the escalating plastic pollution crisis, The University of Exeter’s Environment and Sustainability Institute (ESI) is spearheading a community beach clean event at Gyllyngvase Beach in Falmouth. Scheduled for Wednesday, March 13th, from 3:30 to 5:00 PM GMT, this environmental action is part of the broader #BigPlasticCount initiative and coincides with the Falmouth Spring Clean happening on March 13th and 14th.

The event, designed to last for an hour and thirty minutes, welcomes participation from both the university’s campus and the wider community, emphasising an inclusive call to action against the approximately 100 billion pieces of plastic packaging discarded annually by UK households. With only a disheartening 12% of this massive quantity being recycled within the UK, the beach clean event aims to shed light on the critical need for more sustainable waste management practices.

Collaborating with Beach Guardian, the ESI event will provide attendees with all the necessary equipment for the cleanup. Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothing suited to the weather conditions, and refreshments will be provided to ensure an engaging and well-supported environmental stewardship experience. The initiative represents a pivotal moment for ESI Early Career Researchers (ECR) to lead and inspire community involvement in environmental conservation.

For those interested, a bus will depart from the ESI at the University of Exeter, Penryn campus, at 3:30 PM on the day of the event, heading to Gylly Beach. Alternatively, participants have the option to join directly at the beach location at Cliff Road Falmouth TR11 4PA.

This event is open to everyone interested in contributing to a cleaner, plastic-free environment. For further information or queries, potential attendees are encouraged to contact the ESI via email at esienquiries@exeter.ac.uk. Registration details are available on the dedicated event webpage at https://Gylly-Beach-Clean.eventbrite.co.uk, inviting all community members to join in this vital environmental cause.