The 2 Minute Beach Clean (volunteer locally)

2 minute beach cleanup stations

The 2 Minute Foundation offers a litter-picking station for councils or volunteers. Just take a bag and litter-picker, then return when you’re done. It can set up fundraisers for councils, business and schools.

At the coast, keep away from nesting birds and never walk on sand dunes. Learn how to keep dogs safe by the seaside (check beach bans before travel). Read how to be a sustainable sailor.

Here are more places that list volunteer beach clean:

  • Surfers Against Sewage has details of local cleans or you can start one (with free equipment for up to 30 volunteers that includes gloves, reusable sacks, a first aid kit and hand sanitiser). Each clean lasts around 2 hours, and you get an owner notification letter to amend, for contacting councils.
  • Marine Conservation Society runs beach clean-ups (join open a volunteer account). All litter is recorded (lolly sticks to lost toys).

National Trust organises volunteer beach cleans along its 800 miles of coastline. Recent finds include:

  • A washed-up can of Russian bug spray (Suffolk)
  • Remnants from a 1980s picnic lunch (Liverpool)
  • Sonar equipment from Texas (Northern Ireland)
  • Oil-covered digestive biscuits (Devon)
  • A headless toy soldier (Whitehaven, Cumbria)

How to start your own beach clean

Waterhaul knife

  • If you don’t have an official beach clean, you can get together with friends. Waterhaul beach clean bag is made in Cornwall from old sails, use with litter-pickers and knives.
  • Arrange nationwide collection of nets and ghost fishing gear.
  • Cut up plastic beer rings, rubber bands and hair bands (and snip ear loops from face masks) before secure disposal, to avoid harming wildlife.
  • Some councils require permission. Just find a short section of beach, and get together for an hour or two.
  • Set a clear meeting point with a landmark, and pick a back-up date in case of bad weather.
  • Ask your council where to leave bags for collection, and what they accept.
  • It helps to give each person light roles (one to greet volunteers, one to keep an eye on tides, one to guide where bags are dropped and one to flag risky items to report.
  • If you find live marine creatures, report to British Divers Marine Life Rescue (RSPCA and Coastguard can put you through). Report fly-tipping and dead animals to your local council.

The most common items you’ll likely to encounter on the beach are:

  • Plastic bottles
  • Glass litter
  • Cigarette butts (use a personal ashtray)
  • Tear-off bits on plastic bags
  • Plastic tea bags
  • Nylon hair bands
  • Crisp packets
  • Golf balls and tees (launched from ships)
  • Swimming costumes, goggles, snorkels
  • Fishing line waste
  • Footballs, frisbees (never use near seals)

What to bring and how to stay safe

  • Sturdy shoes or wellies (trainers can work on firm sand)
  • Gloves (reusable if possible, and warm ones in colder months)
  • A litter picker if you have one (helpful for broken glass)
  • Bags or a bucket (a bucket handles wet litter better)
  • Hand sanitiser or wipes
  • Water and a small snack
  • A light waterproof jacket
  • Sun cream and a hat. Always wash off sunscreen before letting pets kiss you, due to toxic zinc oxide (same with deodorant, cosmetics and cocoa butter skin creams).

Safety rules that protect you and wildlife 

  • Check tide times and avoid areas that could cut you off.
  • Leave needles, unknown chemicals, pressurised canisters, dead animals, and anything that smells of fuel. Flag to the organiser and report to your council. Use pickers (not hands) for glass and sharp objects.
  • Lift with your legs, not your back (due to heavy wet sand).
  • Don’t drag items over dunes, as this can harm plants and nesting wildlife. Keep away from seals and fenced areas. 
  • Dogs usually are not allowed, if so keep them away from nesting birds and seals (read how to keep dogs safe by the seaside).
  • Stay safe near jellyfish (even dead ones can sting people and dogs). 

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