40% reduction in rubbish collected during Big Beach Clean

THREE election posters were among the rubbish collected on Mayo beaches over the weekend of the Big Beach Clean.

Louisburgh-based Keep Our Beaches Clean has reported that overall, the amount of rubbish collected was down on last year.

Clean-ups took place at Murrisk Abbey, Emlagh, Doughmakeon beach, Silver Strand, Bertra beach, Cross beach, Lecanvey beach, Old Head, Carrownisky, Ceanna bhothar/Sruthar beag, Killadoon beach and Carrowmore, with Keel beach in Achill served by Keep Keel Clean, Coast Care Group.

Big Beach Clean noticed a huge improvement from last year - in 2018 during the weekend of the Big Beach clean they collected 100 plus bags along with fishing trays and rope, net, etc.

This year they served the same beaches and collected a total of 59 bags, three election posters, large volumes of heavy fishing rope, lobster baskets, large plastic drums, barbed wire, a gas cylinder, and seven plus large fishing trays also full of rubbish.

In Achill, on Keel beach, a further 25 to 30 bags were collected by Keep Keel Clean, Coast Care Group.

That equates to almost a 40% reduction in waste in one year. All beaches reported that the greatest offender was the fishing industry, with approximately 90% of the waste collected fishing related.

There was a huge reduction in dog poop bags too. Last year volunteer had 100 or more - this year only four were reported.

Overall there is an incredible improvement, less waste dropped by beach visitors, consistent cleaning of the beaches all year round and overall the level of awareness locally has grown and continues to do so.

Quote of the weekend was “The world is counting on us” - Crevan (4 years old).