Spring Beach Clean for Plastic Free Eastbourne
Pupils from Eastbourne College were amazed at how much plastic they collected in a relatively short period of time during a recent beach cleaning, despite the town being renowned for its picturesque, uncontaminated waterfront.
The environmentally conscious pupils took to the Eastbourne seafront in support of a growing international awareness of the overuse of plastic, and their school’s ambition to be recognised for its attitude to ‘blue health’. The pupils joined the mayor and the Plastic Free Eastbourne (PFE) movement, a growing initiative being pushed ahead by Surfers Against Sewage and a number of other groups, including local Friends of the Earth and Greenpeace. PFE describes itself as a ‘logical development for all participants to share [your] contributions towards making our town a successful place to live.’ Their focus is clear and concise: attacking single-use plastic.
Head of Geography, Sam Mason, has been keen to extend Eastbourne College’s service reach to community-based projects that enhance the local environment. He took eight Lower Sixth geographers to complete a short beach clean alongside 1000 volunteers, local MP Stephen Lloyd and Borough Councillors.
The plastic-free message is beginning to take hold, with momentum building among local businesses. One local butcher has led the way and gone completely plastic-free and there are rumours that whole rows of shops will follow suit in the next few months.
Eastbourne College views the issue of plastics in our environment as part of a bigger ‘blue health’ drive to promote healthy learning for the long term.
More information on ‘Plastic Free Eastbourne’, can be found at https://en-gb.facebook.com/groups/1757121661014177/
