Beach clean to help make a difference

As part of Cooke & Arkwright’s commitment to helping to protect the environment, as demonstrated by our ISO 14001 Environmental Management certification, members of staff volunteer to undertake an annual exercise that actively helps to make a difference.

In April 2017 a group of volunteers from the firm went to Swanbridge in Sully to carry out a community beach clean in collaboration with Surfers Against Sewage (SAS). Swanbridge is directly opposite Sully Island, popular with visitors at low tide when it can be accessed from the beach. SAS provided all the equipment and health and safety advice, and permission for the clean-up was granted by the owner of the beach. The volunteers worked in two groups starting from separate ends of the beach.

The teams spent around two hours collecting litter which had been washed up on the beach. Despite the owner of the beach arranging for periodic beach cleans, we were surprised by the amount of rubbish we collected. It highlighted just how much litter and debris is in circulation in our seas. Amongst other things there was a half-full, large discarded thermos flask, yards of fishing line and hooks, shoes and flip flops. Around 10 large bags of rubbish were collected, with far and above the main culprit being plastic items.

Planning is underway to identify another worthwhile activity that will help to make a difference in 2018.