WITH summer here, this month’s column looks at how we can enjoy a visit to the seaside while minimizing our environmental impact.
A simple action we can all take is to make sure we put our litter and recycling in the bins available or take it home. You could also make a difference by picking some litter up by doing a two-minute beach clean. It’s a small effort that can make a big difference!
We are all aware that plastic can harm marine life when it breaks down into small harmful pieces (microplastics) and end up in our seas. One action we can all take is to avoid single-use plastics by taking reusable items such as water bottles, containers, and bags on our seaside trips. By refilling water bottles there is no need to use disposable plastic bottles. To find somewhere to refill your bottle download the free Refill app from City to Sea. The app also provides a global network of places to reduce, reuse and refill a range of other items.
Other stuff we take to the beach, such as inflatables, can cause problems when washed out to sea. According to a YourSayPays poll on behalf of Thomas Cook, fewer than half of those surveyed (47%) said they would reuse or recycle an inflatable after their holiday, so they often end up being thrown away. There are also safety concerns with their use. Every summer, they’re one of the most common reasons RNLI lifeboat crews and lifeguards are called to action. So, if you do buy an inflatable keep it longer and use it safely.
It’s not only inflatables that contribute to plastic waste, but discarded beach toys can also be a problem. The Vale Council, like other coastal authorities, provides bucket and spade bins where visitors to Barry Island can leave their buckets, spades and other beach toys if they don’t want to take them home, so increasing reuse and fun.
You may not be aware that some sunscreens are also responsible for plastics ending up in the sea. You can stop this by using ecofriendly sunscreens that are free from harmful chemicals. Other ways to reduce your impact is by choosing what you wear on your seaside trips. Typical beach attire, such as flip-flops, are often made from materials that are neither environmentally friendly or sustainable and often end up left on the sand, often accidentally.
There are alternatives that are made from Forest Stewardship Council certified natural rubber. Other alternatives from clothing to sunglasses exist such as dry robes made from recycled materials or sunglasses made from discarded fishing nets.
I hope that these tips have been useful to help make your trip to the seaside more sustainable as well as keeping our beaches plastic free. The most important thing for us is to remember that when visiting the seaside is to enjoy ourselves and leave it exactly as we found it.
By Brian Mayne
- The views expressed by columnists of this newspaper do not necessarily reflect the views of the Glamorgan Star, its employees or its proprietors.
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