Isle of Wight holiday parks celebrate ‘amazing turnout’ for 30th annual Great British Beach Clean

Volunteers from across the Isle of Wight have given up their time to take part in the Marine Conservation Society’s yearly Great British Beach Clean, now entering its fourth decade.

Staff at Parkdean Resorts’ Nodes Point and Thorness Bay holiday parks hit the coast to collect 21.4kg of litter, managing to fill 12 bags.

Together they made a key contribution to the company’s national efforts for the event, which saw a grand total of 620kg in waste cleaned up from the UK’s beaches.

Jane Bates, Head of Sustainability and Procurement at Parkdean, said: “Creating safe spaces for nature and having a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve are both fundamental to our business, so we’re proud to participate in the Great British Beach Clean every year.

“With a record number of parks and volunteers involved, this is something that really matters to our teams.

“We’re delighted to have had such an amazing turnout from dedicated volunteers, and to be able to contribute to the Marine Conservation Society’s valuable work.”

The data from beach cleans across the country has helped the society to push environmental initiatives including a plastic bag charge, banning microplastics in personal care products, better wet wipe labelling, and a tax on single-use plastic items.

Clare Trotman, Beachwatch Officer at the Marine Conservation Society, added: “We’re so grateful for Parkdean Resorts’ support in organising so many events as part of this year’s Great British Beach Clean.

“By holding dozens of beach cleans around the UK, they’ve helped to make this year’s event even more successful.

“Without our volunteers heading down to the beach to collect and record litter, we wouldn’t be able to do the work we do.

“Their hard work allows us to campaign for a healthier, better protected ocean.”

• parkdeanresorts.co.uk