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CCBC to tackle marine litter for Marine Clean Cymru

Posted on : 26 Aug 2022

This autumn, Caerphilly County Borough Council and Keep Wales Tidy are calling upon volunteers to dust off those trusty litter pickers, pledge their support and take part in Marine Clean Cymru, targeting rivers, waterways, and beaches across Wales.

After the success of Spring Clean Cymru, the message is simple – join in and pledge to pick up as much litter as you can during the campaign. You might choose to pick up just one bag, or you could set yourself a goal of collecting as many as you can.

This year, Keep Wales Tidy have teamed up with the Marine Conservation Society, targeting beaches around the Welsh coast and will coincide with the Great British Beach Clean, the UK’s largest national beach cleaning and litter survey programme. The aim is to gather vital data that will be used to identify the specific problems our seas and coasts are facing.

Marine litter is a growing threat to our aquatic and coastal environment, with 80% coming from land-based sources. Most litter found in our waterways eventually makes its way into our oceans, so it is an issue which is not only relevant to coastal areas. The problem needs to be stopped at source, keeping our beaches and waterways clean so wildlife can thrive, and we can make the most of our beautiful environment.

Marine Clean Cymru is returning for the first time since October 2019 before the pandemic and runs from Friday 16 September to Sunday 2 October 2022, targeting all waterways throughout Wales, including rivers, streams, canals, and estuaries. From your favourite beach to the quiet stream in your village, you can make a difference and help tackle marine litter.

Aside from improving your local environment, litter picking is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors at one of the most wonderful times of the year.

CCBC will be taking part in Marine Clean Cymru with litter picking events in litter hotspots, in close proximity to Sirhowy, Rhymney and Ebbw River. The events include:

16th September, Cliff Road, Blackwood
30th September, Trehir access road
7th October Newbridge Fields, under the A472 by the Otter

Each event will take place 10.30am-12pm and all equipment will be provided.

Cllr Chris Morgan, Cabinet Member for Waste, Leisure & Green spaces Corporate said: “We are so happy to be supporting Keep Wales Tidy and their Mariner Clean Cymru campaign.

“We are very lucky to have an abundance of green space and three rivers running through our borough, so it is vital that we all play our part in keeping them clean and free from litter.”

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