#BigBeachClean - Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean returns this year when the event takes place next weekend (15-17 September). So there's still time to register your pariticpation to make a positive difference in helping the environment.

Clean Coasts engages communities in the protection of Ireland’s beaches, seas and marine life. The programme is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce which is funded by the Department of Environment. Once again the Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean  team have signed up with the International Ocean Conservancy for the International Coastal Cleanup event.

Nearly 800,000 volunteers from over 90 countries in 2016 removed 8,193 tonnes of marine litter from the world’s oceans. It is hoped that everyone will join the movement for litter free seas!

The stark reality is that around a staggering 10 million tonnes of litter end up in the world’s oceans annually which causes destruction that can be devestating to both plants and marine life.

So what is the problem of “marine litter” -firstly the term covers a wide range of materials which have been deliberately discarded, or accidentally lost on shore or at sea. In addition to materials carried out to sea from land, rivers, drainage and sewerage systems, or the wind (European Commission, 2013).

By getting involved in the Clean Coasts movement for litter free seas, you can be part of the world’s largest coastal cleanup event and marine litter survey. Help the coastline you love by taking part in Clean Coasts Big Beach Clean to protect our beaches, seas and marine life locally, nationally and internationally.

Free clean-up kits are available (while stocks last!) which include gloves, bags, data collection cards, posters and high-vis vests are available while stocks last. Sign up online below or call Clean Coasts on 01 400 2210.

It's so simple to take part in the Big Beach Clean be it individually, with friends and family in addition to groups. 

So get registering your group type now!... it's only a click away for your own beach cleaning event!

To register online click here and for information that includes links to some useful resources you will need for your clean-up:

2016 marks the 10th Anniversary of An Taisce’s Clean Coasts programme’s ‘Ocean Hero Awards’. The awards, originally called the ‘Clean Coasts’ Merit Awards’, were conceived in 2006 to honour the invaluable contribution Ireland’s coastal communities have made towards conserving our spectacular coastline. The awards started out from humble beginnings with only one category, ‘The Clean Coasts’ Group of the Year’.

Since then the Clean Coasts’ programme has grown from strength to strength, with the addition of several new initiatives and the engagement of over 500 Clean Coasts groups. This steady increase has lead to the programme becoming embedded in the majority coastal communities nationwide. In an effort to recognise this growth Ocean Heroes has also expanded to comprise seven categories, Individual of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, School of the Year, Business of the Year, Beach Clean of the Year and the ‘Think Before You Flush’ Awareness Raising Award.

Sinead McCoy, Coastal Communities Manager with An Taisce’s Environmental Education Unit said “We are delighted to be celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Clean Coasts’ Ocean Hero Awards. The awards have really brought to the fore the remarkable work and wonderful coastal celebration events that Clean Coasts volunteers have been involved in over the past decade along the Irish coastline. We hope this year is no different as we look forward to receiving inspirational nominations that show the true dedication of these coastal custodians.”

If you would like to recognise an individual, Clean Coasts group, school, business or beach clean that made a difference to our coast, you can nominate them at www.cleancoasts.org. For the ‘Think Before You Flush’ Awareness Raising Award, supported by Irish Water, we are asking you to nominate an individual or a group who you feel has gone above and beyond to promote this campaign.‘Think Before You Flush’ is a public awareness campaign, supported by Irish Water. The initiative aims to highlight the problem sanitary products and other items can cause in our marine environment and wastewater systems if they are flushed down the toilet.

The nomination process only takes a few minutes and we would love to hear your voice. Please make your nominations on www.cleancoasts.org by Friday November 4th for inclusion in the selection process.

Nominations are invited in the following categories:
1. Ocean Hero Award - Group of the Year, supported by Coca Cola
2. Ocean Hero Award – ‘Think Before You Flush’ Awareness Raising Award, supported by Irish Water
3. Ocean Hero Award - Individual of the Year
4. Ocean Hero Award - Newcomer of the Year
5. Ocean Hero Award - School of the Year
6. Ocean Hero Award - Business of the Year
7. Ocean Hero Award - Beach Clean of the Year

Clean Coasts is operated by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce and is funded by the Department of Housing, Planning, Communication and Local Government, Coca-Cola HBC Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.

#CleanCoasts - Almost 3,000 volunteers took to beaches around the country during Coca-Cola Clean Coasts Week 2015 to remove a staggering 10 tonnes of marine litter from the coastline.

With a target to remove a further 11 tonnes from beaches around the island of Ireland this year, Coca-Cola Clean Coast Week 2016 – which kicked off yesterday (Friday 6 May) and runs till next Sunday 15 May – is calling on volunteers across the island to once again get involved in the numerous coastal clean-ups and events taking place throughout the week.

Over 120 beach cleans are planned alongside more than 20 coastal celebration events across Ireland in celebration of the beautiful natural resource of the coastline and to raise awareness of the importance of keeping beaches clean from litter.

With the theme ‘Enjoy Your Beach, Enjoy Your Beach Clean’, the 2016 awareness week is run by the Environmental Education Unit of An Taisce in partnership with Coca-Cola and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

The week sees range of fun and informative events with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of protecting our coastline. Coastal celebrations range from beach fitness activities that incorporate clean-ups, to a seal release in partnership with Seal Rescue Ireland at Curracloe Strand in Wexford, and talks on the role of marram grass planting in halting coastal erosion.

Other events include National #2MinuteBeachClean Day, the launch of Love Your Coast photography competition, and Beat the Microbead Day.

While all events throughout Coca-Cola Clean Coast Week 2016 are free, some are ticketed – visit www.cleancoasts.org for all the details.

#cleancoasts – A call for volunteers to join Ireland's largest coastal cleanup was made today by Clean Coasts Ambassador Easkey Britton. Clean Coasts Week 2015 takes place from May 8th to May 17th and everybody is invited to get involved in protecting and celebrating a beach they love.

A recent United Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) report estimated that 8 million individual litter items enter the marine environment every day. This is certainly evident along Ireland's coastline. In 2014 Clean Coasts groups removed a staggering 500,000 marine litter items from our beaches. Marine Litter includes a range of materials which have been deliberately discarded, or accidentally lost on shore or at sea. It includes materials that are carried out to sea from land, rivers, drainage, sewerage systems and even by the wind.

Speaking at the launch Easkey Britton, Clean Coasts Ambassador said "Clean Coasts Week is about the power of the ocean to connect. Through coming together to celebrate our coasts at Clean Coasts events around the country and by joining local groups for beach clean-ups we create a stronger sense of community, a community connected by the sea. No matter how challenging the problem of marine litter might seem, together, even a small act can lead to positive change."

Speaking at the launch Annabel FitzGerald, Clean Coasts Manager, An Taisce said: "We are expecting more than 100 beaches to be cleaned by thousands of volunteers during Clean Coasts Week. Every piece of litter removed whether as part of a large beach clean or a #2MinuteBeachClean is one less item that will pollute our oceans or be ingested by marine life."

Speaking at the launch, Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs & Communications Manager, Coca-Cola Hellenic Ireland said, "While Clean Coasts activities take place all year round, the impact during Clean Coast week is significant. Year on year more and more volunteers are joining Ireland's largest coastal cleanup. The week is a great opportunity to connect with your local Clean Coasts group and to take part in events all over Ireland."

In addition to the many beach cleans that will be taking place there are also Coastal Celebration events, including the National #2MinuteBeachClean Day, launch of Love Your Coast photography competition, film screenings, Coastal talks, Beat the Microbead Day and lots more. While all events are free, some are ticketed; people are encouraged to check out the website for more details. www.cleancoasts.org

#BigBeachClean - Clean Coasts’ Big Beach Clean is happening this weekend 20-21 September. And once again Clean Coasts is teaming up with the International Ocean Conservancy for the International Coastal Cleanup event.

Last year 645,015 volunteers in nine countries removed 5,580 tonnes of marine litter from the world's oceans. This year’s Big Beach Clean aims to be the biggest yet, with 100 cleanups taking place (find a cleanup near you or register a beach to clean up at www.bigbeachclean.ie).

During the Big Beach Clean, Clean Coasts volunteers are asked to carry out marine litter surveys to quantify the amount and types of marine litter on Irish beaches. These surveys are aimed at heightening awareness about the issue of marine litter and serve as an indicator of the magnitude of the problem.

Speaking about the Big Beach Clean, Clean Coasts national manager Annabel FitzGerald said: “Marine litter is a global concern, affecting all the oceans of the world. Every year, millions of tonnes of litter end up in our seas and oceans, posing environmental, economic, health and aesthetic challenges.

"Ireland boasts spectacular sandy beaches and rocky shores and we all have a responsibility in caring for it. Every single piece of litter removed during the Big Beach Clean is one less piece of litter that will pollute our beautiful beaches or harm wildlife.”

Clean Coasts ambassador Easkey Britton also spoke about her support of the Big Beach Clean. “The ocean is important - our personal health and wellbeing is so interconnected with the health of our coasts and ocean but it's in trouble," she said.

"Marine litter is a big issue but each one of us has the power to do something about it and make a real impact for our health and the ocean's. Take action now and register for the Big Beach Clean!”