Marks and Spencer and Marine Conservation Society Volunteers set to tackle Port Eynon Bay as part of the Big Beach Clean-up

Marks & Spencer (M&S) is urging the Swansea community to descend on Port Eynon Bayto free it from litter as part of this year’s Big Beach Clean-up.
Taking place on Wednesday 30 April from 10am, the Big Beach Clean-up is hosted in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) and invites local residents, businesses, universities and societies to join employees from M&S Fforestfach to scoop up unwanted rubbish. What’s more, customers who register for the event in advance at www.mcsuk.org/foreverfish will also receive a money-off M&S voucher on the day of their beach clean*.
Julie Carpenter, Store Manager at M&S Fforestfach, said: “We’re calling upon as many local people as possible to help us rid Port Eynon Bay of litter. This is a fun initiative that will bring the Swansea community together to help our local environment and protect our precious marine life.”
Volunteers across 95 beaches and 45 canals in the UK will this year join forces with the aim of clearing more than last year’s massive haul of 30 tonnes of litter – the equivalent weight of two double decker buses. Most of the litter collected on Port Eynon Bay will be common waste items such as fishing nets, ropes and bottles tops. However last year M&S beach and canal cleaners found an array of unusual items including a bath, coffee maker, HM Prison Service toothbrush and a Freeview box.
Additionally, MCS will take the opportunity to assess the impact this year’s storms have had on beach litter and debris at locations across the country.
Last year over 9,000 people (4,000 M&S employees and 5,000 M&S customers) volunteered and collected 4,000 bin bags full of litter after cleaning over 300km of beaches and canals.
Samantha Fanshawe, MCS Chief Executive, said: “This week of action is a great opportunity to clean up some of our best loved beaches and remove litter that has built up following recent storms.  Rubbish washed up or left on beaches not only harms wildlife but spoils our enjoyment of the coast too, so the more people that take part the more litter we can remove from harm’s way.  Throughout the year, there will be activities and resources for schoolchildren to learn more about our seas and the fascinating marine life they support.”
 
The M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of M&S’ Forever Fish campaign which is funded by the profits from the 5p carrier bag charge in M&S foodhalls. Since its introduction in 2008, the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 75 per cent and raised over £6 million for good causes.  
Customers can find out more www.marksandspencer.com/plana and follow the event on twitter (@marksandspencer or search #beachclean) and facebook (www.facebook.com/marksandspencer).

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