Find out about and sign up for our upcoming beach cleans and events! We run regular beach cleans along the Solent coastline. Visit our events page to see a list of all of our upcoming events and beach cleans on our Eventbrite page:

Please make sure you read the safety information before you come to a beach clean – many thanks!

New beach clean dates may be added throughout the year – so check back regularly! If you know of an area that could really use a clean-up, please feel free to contact us so we can look into setting up a clean-up event there.

Why bother with beach cleaning?

As of the beginning of January 2025, we are proud to have run nearly 230 clean-up events and picked up over 46,000kg of waste from our beaches and local area. We are anticipating that we will go beyond our 260th cleanup this year and we hope that you may be able to join us for some of our events! But, if there is still so much to pick up – why do we keep doing it? Here are some of the top reasons why we persist with beach cleaning.

1. Environmental Impact: Beach cleans contribute to the removal of plastic debris, litter, and other pollutants from coastal environments. This helps protect marine life, birds, and ecosystems that pollution may negatively affect. This pollution is not only an immediate issue but would otherwise have the potential to become more pervasive in the future – for example, large pieces of plastic breaking up into smaller microplastics (which are even harder to remove!) – read more here
2. Preventing Harm to Wildlife: Marine animals and birds can mistake plastic debris for food or become entangled. Beach cleans reduce the risk of ingestion and entanglement, protecting wildlife and preventing harm to the ecosystem.
3. Preserving Ecosystem Health: Coastal ecosystems, including beaches, are vital for maintaining a healthy balance in marine environments. By removing pollutants through beach cleaning, these ecosystems can thrive and continue to provide essential natural services.
4. Aesthetic and Recreational Benefits: Clean beaches offer residents and visitors more enjoyable and aesthetically pleasing environments, and our local area is enjoyed by many water sports fans, dog walkers, bird watchers and general visitors. This contributes to the overall well-being of communities and supports the local tourism industry.
5. Educational Opportunities: Beach cleanups provide opportunities for environmental education and awareness. Participants and passers-by can learn about the impact of plastic pollution, the importance of waste reduction, and sustainable practices to protect the environment.
6. Community Engagement: Beach cleans foster a sense of community and environmental stewardship. People coming together to address a common issue build stronger connections and a shared commitment to environmental responsibility.
7. Global Impact: While individual beach cleanups may seem small in scale, they contribute to a larger global effort to combat plastic pollution. The collective impact of numerous local initiatives can lead to positive changes on a broader scale.
8. Policy Advocacy: Beach cleans often raise awareness about the need for policies and regulations to reduce plastic use and improve waste management. The data collected during cleanups can be used to advocate for policy changes at local, regional, and national levels.
9. Blue Health: Taking part in beach cleans can have a positive impact on mental health. We often find it can be quite therapeutic beach cleaning, focussing on picking up every bit of rubbish you see and enjoying being in the sea air. It can add to a sense of accomplishment to know that you have helped to clean up a beach, you can meet like-minded people and get fitter – all of which helps us mentally and physically.
10. Setting an Example: We have often noticed that people who see a group out beach cleaning are then more careful about littering – picking up any bits that are near them even if they are not taking part. We hope that seeing volunteers out litter picking may make some people think twice about littering themselves.

Safety Information for Beach Cleans

BEACH CLEAN RULES:

• There will be a safety briefing at the start of the event, please listen carefully and adhere to the guidelines.
• Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes. 
• Only go where instructed to go on the day.
• Dress for the weather. If it’s hot, wear sun cream, if it’s raining bring a rain jacket and so on – layers are great.
• Please bring your own drink in a reusable container. 
• Do not pick up anything sharp (broken glass, needles etc). Inform a host and we will remove it. We will have a sharps bin with us.
• Under 18’s must be accompanied and supervised by a responsible adult, FSF accepts no responsibility for minors attending the event. 
• Participation is at the individual’s own risk, but please report any incidents to the hosts.
• Do not put your hands anywhere near your face, especially eyes or mouth during the clean. You never know what you may have touched and your gloves will probably be dirty. 
• Bring hand sanitiser for after the clean-up and wash your hands thoroughly as soon as possible after the event.
• Return all equipment and litter to the collection/drop-off spot.
• Well-behaved dogs on leads are more than welcome, but please keep them with you, under control and be aware of others with your dogs even if they are friendly.