6,000 participate in M&S beach clean
Over 6,000 Marks & Spencer customers and employees cleaned over 100 beaches and canals up and down the country last weekend in the first ever M&S Big Beach Clean-up.
Early results show that the clean-up, which was organised by the Marine Conservation Society, resulted in 3,200 bin bags of litter being collected, weighing in at over 11,500 kg. This included 12,800 wrappers and 2,850 tin cans as well some more unusual items such as a full set of false teeth and half a sofa.
Steve Rowe, director of Retail at Marks & Spencer and a Clacton beach cleaner explained: “It’s great to see so many customers and employees getting directly involved in Plan A. MCS surveys show that there are almost two pieces of litter on every metre of UK coastline – thanks to the efforts put in over the weekend, our seas and rivers are now cleaner and our coastline environment is in better shape. ~
“We’re passionate about protecting our marine life and I’d like to extend a huge thank-you to everyone who rolled their sleeves up and got involved.”
Never Miss a Retail Update!Samantha Fanshawe, MCS Chief Executive, added: “The Marine Conservation Society is really grateful to the thousands of volunteers and M&S staff that supported the Big Beach Clean-ups around the UK. Working together with M&S has mobilized positive action on a huge scale and focused attention on an issue that everyone can help prevent.”
Funded by the 5p carrier bag charge in M&S foodhalls, the M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of the retailer’s Forever Fish campaign to help customers learn more about fish, the benefits of clean beaches and protecting UK marine life.
