Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Dover District Council are working together on a campaign to reduce the amount of litter left behind on our beaches this summer.
The councils are also going to be highlighting the importance of water safety as they anticipate a busy few weeks along the coast once the districts’ schools have broken up for the summer.
From Monday 24 to Sunday 30 July, residents will see teams from both councils working alongside their waste management and street cleansing contractor, Veolia, to raise awareness of good local beach etiquette.
The messages they will emphasise include:
- Encouraging beach goers to do the right thing and put their litter in the bin, or take it home with them if bins are full
- Raising awareness of the negative impact discarded litter has on visitors, pets, wildlife and the environment
- Being mindful of water and sun safety while playing or swimming in the sea
With a fun theme of ‘carefree days at the seaside’ there will be various activities taking place at both Sunny Sands beach in Folkestone and Deal beach, supported by the councils’ community and environmental protection teams.
Two traditional seaside ‘face-in-the-hole’ boards will be sure to please both our younger and older visitors. They will encourage plenty of fun photo sharing and serve as a reminder for seaside guests to only leave their footprints behind in the sand (or in the pebbles!) #LoveYourBeach23.
Community Support and Environmental Enforcement officers will be there with information, interactive games and give aways. They will also take the lead on organised community litter picks across the week, encouraging beach users to join in, and conveying the important message that our beaches need to be kept litter-free for everyone to enjoy.
Cllr Stephen Scoffham – Folkestone & Hythe District Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate, Environment and Bio Diversity – said: “We hope that by joining forces with our partners and using our combined efforts we will drive home the message that rubbish left behind after a day on the beach is not only unsightly but is damaging for the environment, wildlife and our coastal waters.
“We are pleased that the message will be supported with fun activities so that our beaches stay beautiful and litter free.”
Cllr Edward Biggs, Cabinet member for Environment at Dover District Council – said “We love to see both our residents and visitors safely enjoying themselves at the district’s beaches. It is a free space for us all to relax, and there’s no better way to create treasured family memories. We also want to ensure that no litter is left behind to protect sea life and keep our district’s beaches looking pristine.”
David Fitzgerald, General Manager, Municipal South East at Veolia UK, said: “At Veolia, we are proud to work in partnership with Dover and Folkestone & Hythe District councils to raise awareness and encourage everyone to use the litter bins provided or recycle their litter at home. During the summer months, our team provides additional resources so please support us to keep the seafront free from litter for residents and visitors to enjoy. With everyone's help, we can stop litter reaching the sea in line with our commitment to ecological transformation.”
Pictured above left to right is: Folkestone & Hythe District Council councillors Jim Martin, Polly Blakemore and Tim Prater.