As part of World Clean Up Day
Coastal Recycling is supporting a World Clean Up Day Tarka Trail & Estuary Clean Up on Friday 20th September 2024. The event is hosted by Plastic Free North Devon (PFND) and is inviting local businesses, organisations and members of the public to join them.
The aim of World Clean Up Day is to activate 5% of the world’s population which will catalyse lasting societal change in behaviour around mismanaged waste. PFND will be supporting this aim by heading out on the Tarka Trail from Chivenor to Bideford and giving the trail and surrounding estuary area a spruce up. They will also be cleaning some more hard to reach spots along the estuary as well as culverts that cross the Tarka Trail which are in need of a deep clean.
PFND secured funding and support from local businesses Coastal Recycling and Saltrock to run this event as well as securing additional logistical support from North Devon Council and Torridge District Council. They have also invited many other local businesses and organisations to lead on sections along the route, which has resulted in a number of private and public events across the area. As World Clean Up Day is on a week day the charity believes this event to be the perfect opportunity for businesses to get involved by encouraging members of their team to help out in the big clean up as part of their corporate social responsibility activities, if they are in a position to do so.
Emily Delve, Commercial Director Coastal Recycling states:
“Tackling the plastic pollution problem is a cause close to our hearts. At Coastal Recycling we see first-hand the amount of plastic that comes into our processing sites for recycling, sadly this is only around 45% of the plastics produced, with a large proportion of the rest ending up in our oceans. Plastic Free North Devon’s mission to protect and improve our environment through their community led initiatives. This clean-up of the Tarka Trail takes action in and around the communities we work in – with this in mind, we knew we had to get involved and support the event. We are lucky enough to live and work in this beautiful and diverse area so it’s essential we nurture and protect our environment. We urge any businesses in the local area to gather their colleagues and gather as much waste as possible”.
Kate Ross-Smith Marketing Manager, Saltrock says:
“We believe in supporting community initiatives and our teams being involved where they can. Many of our customers come here on holiday and use the Tarka Trail around this stretch of estuary, so it’s important to support and sponsor this larger community clean- up and protect the wildlife and nature of the Tarka Trail environment. Plastic Free North Devon is a crucial organisation and plays a key role in the sustainability, protection and flourishing of it’.
So far PFND have already had a fantastic response from the local business community including dryrobe®, SEA Engineering, Boden Group, Eden plus local organisations Beaford, Pickwell Foundation, Instow Yacht Club, Braunton Countryside Centre and Home Farm Marsh. The charity would like to invite more businesses and organisations to get in touch if they would like to join the activities on the day.
Claire Moodie, PFND CEO says “This is the first time we have organised a mass clean up on World Clean Up Day and we felt the Tarka Trail & its surrounding estuarine environment was the perfect region to tackle due to the way it connects so many of communities and its ability to help initiate lots of community action over a large area. It is also an area of significant ecological importance, due to its diverse and dynamic environment which supports many species of birds and other wildlife. It provides huge environmental, social and economic benefit to our area and clearing away debris and plastics from these highly sensitive areas will only help enhance the ecosystem benefits that the region already provides’’.
The clean up route
The Tarka Trail & Estuary Clean route has been divided into sections by the charity and each section will be allocated to a business, organisation and will either be a public or private clean. There are currently six confirmed public cleans on the route for everyone to come along and get involved in:
1. Chivenor to Heanton Court with Braunton Countryside Centre – 10am – 12pm
Start at at the Chivenor base Tarka Trail entry point
What3Words: ///intensely.ringers.mass
2. Fremington Quay – Home Farm Marsh with Home Farm Marsh Ranger Steve 10am – 1230pm
What3Words start location: ///something.crew.summaries
3. Fremington Quay – North (back towards Fremington) wth PFND – 10am 12pm
What3Words start location: ///fabric.dimes.worry
4. Yelland to Sandhills Car Park with Christies Estate 10am-12pm
What3Words start location: ///rosette.seriously.mushroom
5. Sandhills – South end of Instow beach with Christies Estates 12pm – 130pm
What3Words start location:: ///isolated.absent.waxer
6. Instow Yacht Club to Westleigh with Instow Yacht Club 12 noon – 2pm
What3Words start location:///cure.commands.apartment
If you are attending a Public Clean please make sure you wear good sturdy footwear and are dressed for the elements. All other equipment will be provided but if you have your own, bring it along.
Please contact: info@plasticfreenorthdevon.org to find out more about attending or getting involved in any of the events.
There are currently six confirmed public cleans on the route for everyone to get involved with.