PIPELINE The Journal of Surfers Against Sewage
Issue 105 | Spring 2018 Credits/contents 3
Chief Executive Hugo Tagholm [email protected] Head of Fundraising Pipeline Pete Lewis [email protected]
Head of Community & Engagement Dom Ferris [email protected] Environment Finance Manager Rosanna Harris [email protected] Plastic Free Coastlines
Deputy Head of Fundraising & Communications Jess North [email protected] WAVES Beach Bums Community Coordinator Jack Middleton [email protected]
Science & Policy Manager Community David Smith [email protected] Big Spring Beach Clean Campaign Officer James Harvey [email protected]
Education & Design Officer Ellie Ewart [email protected]
Fundraising Officer Jacey Russell [email protected] Surfers Against Sewage is a national Community & Events Fundraising Officer marine conservation and campaigning Katie Eddy [email protected]
Retail Coordinator charity that inspires, unites and empowers S pring Amy Fitzgerald [email protected] communities to take action to protect Marketing & Communications Officer 2018 Sally Fish [email protected] oceans, beaches, waves and wildlife. Trusts & Grants Officer Louise Allen [email protected]
Plastic Free Coastlines Support Officer Rachel Yates [email protected]
Finance Assistant Nancy Mappley [email protected]
Photographers Chief Executive’s Foreword 4 Tim Boydell Cherie Bridges Upstream solutions Andy Hughes Ian Lean Greg Martin Plastic Free Coastlines 8 Abbi Hughes Steve Banks Growing our communities going plastic-free James Chapman Callum Morse, Saltshots Photography Plastic Free Parliament 14 Design: A-Side Challenge your MP to support our campaign
Printed by: St Austell Printing Company Meet the team 24 Pipeline is printed on 100% recycled Get to know our 16 staff members and FSC certified paper, using vegetable inks for minimum impact to the environment. Please recycle after reading! Interview 34 We chat to Richard Walker, MD of Iceland Registered Charity in England & Wales no. 1145877
Trustees: Beach Bums Update 38 Ben Hewitt – Chairman Peter Crane – Treasurer Find out the results of our scientific study Dr Heather Koldewey Lauren Davies Alex Wade Deposit Return Scheme 50 Jon Khoo Chris Hides Let’s keep up the pressure Lesley Kazan Pinfield 4 Chief Executive’s Foreword Chief Executive’s Foreword 5
When a community achieves Plastic legislation and industry accountability to Free status with SAS, it means they have take full responsibility for their plastic not only committed to eliminate specific waste is essential to providing more items of avoidable, single-use plastic, but sustainable systems and products. put the decision-making engine in place The extension of the plastic bag to incrementally decouple their town from levy, the microbead ban and a UK-wide Plastic throwaway plastics. deposit refund scheme are proven ways to After all, the majority of the plastic reduce society’s plastic footprint that is pollution our beach clean volunteers find trampling our natural world. But these are is avoidable, single-use plastic: straws, just the start. stirrers, plastic bottles, plastic bags, The time for action is now and it’s up to disposable lighters, plastic cotton bud us all not to kick the proverbial plastic bottle sticks, condiment sachets and more. down the street. We can all join a beach clean Free These all have an upstream solution to or lead a Plastic Free Community. prevent their presence on our beaches. Government must legislate to force Together with our community leaders, industry to reconsider its plastic footprint we are building solutions to stop plastic and penalise the overuse of throwaway pollution at source. Empowering and plastics. Industry must use plastic-free connecting communities to do this is policies as a market advantage. We must essential to changing behaviours across reinvent our relationship with single-use S Future pring businesses, local authorities, schools and plastic to eliminate, replace and recycle
Welcome to the first 2018 issue of committed to removing and recycling as other stakeholders to reduce society’s over plastics faster and more effectively. 2018 Pipeline magazine. The last year has much plastic as we can from our beaches reliance on avoidable plastics. Plastic production is already rampant PIPELINE105 seen an explosion in public, political, we need to redouble our upstream efforts, The potential reach and impact and is also set to increase massively in the industry and media awareness of the in the war on avoidable plastics. Our army of the initial pilot of the Plastic Free next 25 years. We need new legislation and plastic pollution crisis. of 40,000 beach clean volunteers is being Communities programme is massive, systems to stop plastic at source now. Our oceans have brought the problem augmented on a new front; our villages, including 6,240 businesses, 4,160 We can’t simply pick our way out of the to millions of people in the UK via Blue towns and cities through our Plastic Free community groups and 1,248 community problem; it’s gone far beyond being simply Planet II, and the January storms that Communities campaign. events all going plastic-free. The a littering issue. battered the UK demonstrated the Plastic Free Communities is an combined population represented is over Thanks for all your support, huge scale of the issue. Our beaches international initiative designed to unite 19 million individuals, meaning the scope were inundated with vast deposits of and empower individuals, businesses, local to create long-term and meaningful throwaway plastics, creating a toxic government and community groups to change far exceeds anything we have set tideline of plastic products that society reducing their collective plastic footprint. It out to do before. Imagine if 19 million uses for just a few seconds yet persist in is the only holistic, step-by-step framework people start to refuse throwaway plastic! our marine environment for hundreds, if currently available to galvanise community The initiative has captured global not thousands of years. action to reduce local over-reliance and use imagination and we have some exciting Plastic pollution has spread into every of avoidable single-use plastics, with the international plans afoot already. It has corner of our world, not just the UK, a aim of stopping plastic pollution. even been recognised by Environment Hugo – Chief Executive parasite hitching a lift on the essentials of The campaign has been hugely Secretary Michael Gove for its efforts to life; our air and water. successful since its launch last summer reduce its plastic footprint! We must continue to tackle this at the as part of our Plastic Free Coastlines Our politicians and business leaders frontline, where land and sea converge, programme, with hundreds of communities must also take bold and decisive steps but we know that we can’t simply pick already working towards ‘Plastic Free’ to break industry and societal addiction our way out of the problem. Whilst we are status, both nationally and internationally. to single-use plastics. Government The SAS Big Spring Beach Clean at Perranporth Beach, Cornwall Image: Tim Boydell 8 Plastic Free Communities Plastic Free Communities 9
Empowering individuals, businesses, local government and community groups to reduce Plastic Free their collective plastic footprint. Communities S pring 2018 PIPELINE105 10 Plastic Free Communities Plastic Free Communities 11
Plastic Free Communities is our national initiative designed to unite and empower individuals, businesses, local government and community groups to reduce their Between eight collective plastic footprint. It is the only communities holistic, step-by-step framework currently available to galvanise community action to with Plastic reduce society’s over-reliance on avoidable Free Status single-use plastics, with the aim of stopping plastic pollution. Our initial aim was to establish 125 Plastic Free Communities by 2020. It’s there are now only eight months since we launched 85 plastic-free the campaign and we already have approved 208 communities working towards businesses the award. We are delighted to see Penzance, Alderney, Tynemouth, Aberporth, Perranporth, New Quay, 56 Croyde & Georgeham, and Braunton all having been awarded Plastic Free Status! plastic-free S Congratulations to the Community community pring
Leaders and their voluntary teams for groups 2018 making this happen. PIPELINE105 These eight locations have made some incredible changes to their way of Croyde and Georgeham recently received Plastic thinking and continue to encourage others 47 Free status. Image: Claire Moodie. to join in their mission. Between these plastic-free eight communities with Plastic Free Status events have (with a combined population of 54,084), been run there are now 85 plastic-free approved businesses, 56 plastic-free community groups, and 47 plastic-free events have been run. If all 208 communities currently working towards Plastic Free status were to succeed (based on an average It is campaigns like this, and environmental community population of 91,000), there We have already seen the first organisations like Surfers Against Sewage would be a minimum of 6,240 businesses, community, first island, first Welsh 4,160 community groups and 1,248 community and most recently, first inland and its awarding of Plastic Free Coastline community events all going plastic-free. community reach Plastic Free status. There status, that spread an idealism and These figures represent the is an opportunity for everywhere, big or overwhelming reach of the Plastic Free small, inland or coastal, fully recognised commitment to halt and reverse the trends Communities project and the ability it has town or even just an area of town, to apply and forces harming our planet. to positively reduce reliance on single-use the Plastic Free Communities toolkit and plastics across the country. contribute to the movement. — Environment Secretary Michael Gove 12 Plastic Free Communities Plastic Free Communities 13
Plastic Free Communities have The efforts of the communities to rid begun to receive significant recognition themselves of unnecessary single-use as leading the way in the work against plastics are recognition of the upstream single-use plastics. Environment thinking to tackle plastic pollution. As a Secretary Michael Gove has even society, we must work beyond the beach acknowledged how important this clean and address our reliance on this nationwide campaign is:“It is man-made menace. campaigns like this, and environmental organisations like Surfers Against Plastic Free Schools and Plastic Sewage and its awarding of Plastic Free Free Parliament Coastline status, that spread an idealism We have already begun rolling out our and commitment to halt and reverse the Plastic Free Schools and Plastic Free trends and forces harming our planet. Parliament initiatives with great success. They show us that where there’s a will We currently have 170 Plastic Free Schools there’s a way to improve the environment working through an adapted version of for the next generation.” Plastic Free Communities. Plastic Free Regular coverage in national and Parliament has engaged over 8,000 local media outlets has created a buzz members of the public to write to their MP, around Plastic Free Communities and we challenging Parliament to reduce their Congratulations to Plastic Free New Quay in Wales. are welcoming new community leaders reliance on single-use plastics. So far 165 S every day. If you are keen to lead your MPs have given their backing to Plastic Steps to Becoming a Plastic Free Community pring
local community or contribute to the Free Parliament. You can read more about 2018 excellent work already taking place, head these projects later in this issue of Pipeline. We have set out five objectives to Objective 3 (Community Engagement): PIPELINE105 over to the SAS website: www.sas.org.uk/ become a Plastic Free Community. These Schools, universities, community spaces plastic-free-communities objectives bring together the entire and community organisations aware and local population in a collective approach supporting the Plastic Free Community. Plastic Free Communities Around the World to Plastic Free status, which instills This could be through doing talks or Plastic Free Communities are emerging confidence and ensures longevity. inviting them to participate in other SAS globally, with the locations not only in the projects such as Plastic Free Schools. UK but also Ireland and Portugal. We are Objective 1 (Local Governance): also in exciting talks to create Plastic Free Local council to pass a motion pledging Objective 4 (Events): Galapagos and ensure the birthplace of support to plastic-free initiatives in Holding two plastic free community events modern natural history is protected from the area and lead by example through per year that are open for all to attend. the ever-growing threat from plastics. removing single-use plastics from their This could be a beach clean or running a Following significant media attention own council premises. stall at a third-party event, for example. on plastics, the public is reaching out for new ideas to protect their environments, Objective 2 (Local Businesses): Objective 5 (Local Steering Group): and by engaging councils and businesses, Getting local businesses on board (the This group should be set up to ensure that this is a truly collaborative approach. amount of businesses to get on board is once PFC status is completed, the momentum The Plastic Free Community Toolkit dependent on the population of the area continues in the area. A councillor must be has been created to be adaptable in any outlined in the Community Toolkit). Each named on the chair and sit on a steering location and population. We have set out business needs to remove at least three group meeting at least once a year. to provide the tools communities need to single-use plastic items or swap them for begin their Plastic Free journey and the non-plastic, eco-friendly alternatives. support to ensure they reach it. 14 Plastic Free Parliament Plastic Free Parliament 15 Plastic Free S pring 2018 PIPELINE105 ParliamenT
A call to Parliament to get their house in order.
As part of the wider Plastic Free Coastlines project, we are calling on Parliament to get their house in order. Pledging to eliminate unnecessary single-use plastics as part of the Government’s 25-year Environment Plan is a welcome ideal – however, Parliament should look a little closer to home first if they are going to lead the way in the war on plastics. 16 Plastic Free Parliament Plastic Free Parliament 17
In a bold statement from the Government, they set out working towards a target of The recent series of Blue eliminating avoidable plastic waste by the end of 2042. We believe that action should Planet II has brought to be taken sooner to prevent the plastic public attention the serious pollution crisis becoming irrevocable. Plastic production is already rampant and damage plastic is causing to is also set to increase massively in the next our marine life and habitats. 25 years. Up to 13 billion tonnes of plastic enter our oceans every year; the time to put Pressure is rightly growing a stop to this is now, not in 2042. on all of us to take action to The Environment Plan sets a backstop to the state of the environment; it is a reduce our plastic footprint. plan that is enviable to other sectors. It is time for Parliament to Environmentalists should be grateful for the attention the Government is giving not only get its own house to the state of our planet, but this plan is in order, but take a lead on not the complete answer. We need new legislation and systems to stop plastic at ambitious action to end its source now, as impactful and thorough use of throwaway plastic. policies can create change overnight. The well discussed Deposit Return Scheme — Kerry McCarthy MP (DRS) is a clear demonstration of how one PIPELINE105 source of litter can be all but eliminated. 1,138,630 If the UK Government is going to SingLe-use coffee lead the way on this change and ensure cups were used avoidable plastics are eliminated, they Pollution on the banks of the River Thames. Image: Steve Banks in parliament need to act fast and ensure they show a hard stance on their own consumption of in 2017 single-use plastics. Here at Surfers Against Sewage, we Challenge Your MP to Support Plastic carried out an investigation into the Free Parliament amount of single-use plastics used in We have created an easy-to-use platform Since the launch of the campaign, over Parliament. Shockingly, over 2 million to challenge your MP to support Plastic 165 MPs have directly supported Plastic avoidable single-use plastic items were Free Parliament which also helps us with Free Parliament, with many others making purchased across the estate in 2017 alone. our bigger objective of achieving Plastic plastic-free commitments through other If Parliament is really going to fight Free Coastlines. The website allows you means. We need to ensure that as many plastics, dramatic change is needed to to connect with your MP via email, letter MPs as possible are supporting Plastic lead by example. or Twitter, and challenge them to support Free Parliament to create the necessary this campaign. changes. If you haven’t contacted your MP Directly contacting your MP can yet, do so today by visiting create real change. It makes your concerns www.plasticfreeparliament.co.uk their issue, and sharing your experience and knowledge with them often makes them take note. 18 Plastic Free Parliament
Next Steps We have identified the Commons Commission as being responsible for the There are many steps we administration and services of the House can take as consumers to of Commons, including the maintenance of the Palace of Westminster and the reduce the amount of single- rest of the Parliamentary Estate. Chaired use disposable plastics we by the Speaker, we have challenged the Commission to revise the use of single- use. Members of Parliament, use plastics and address the issues as community and national preventing a Plastic Free Parliament. The Administration Select Committee leaders, have our own role to considers the services provided for play in raising awareness and Members, their staff and visitors by the House of Commons Service and makes setting an example on this recommendations to the House of Commons important matter. That is why Commission, the Speaker and Officials.
SAS will be meeting with the Head of I am pleased to be working Our 30ft warship highlights plastic pollution Catering and the Environment Team in with Surfers Against Sewage outside the Houses of Parliament. the Commons in early March to discuss S the steps Parliament can take to end and others to bring forward Single-use avoidable items purchased by Parliament in 2017 pring their reliance on single-use plastics. The the Plastic Free Parliament 2018 outcomes of this meeting are expected Product Number of Items to inform an Administration Committee campaign and reduce the Plastic Cutlery 398,000 report with the aim of reducing single-use amount of plastic that gets plastic usage across the Parliamentary Plastic Straws and Stirrers 21,500 Estate. As always, make sure you stay used and thrown away on the Single Serve Condiments 386,070 tuned in to SAS media for updates. Parliamentary estate.” We will continue to involve MPs on Soft Drink Bottles 200,584 Plastic Pollution and ensure the necessary — Steve Double MP Coffee Cups (incl. Lids) 1,138,630 steps are taken to best protect our environment. Plastic Free Parliament has already engaged MPs to join our Protect We are targeting the reduction of Globally, five to 13 million tonnes of plastic Our Waves All Party Parliamentary Group five single-use plastic items across end up in the oceans every year. Collectively (APPG) and has led to meetings to discuss Parliament. These items have been we need to put a stop to this now. what can be done to address plastics on a identified following our detailed Surfers Against Sewage has created wider scale. investigation. They are easily avoidable, several Plastic Free projects to bring We are currently discussing the prospect and reduction or even eradication of these together communities, schools and now of creating Plastic Free Parliaments around items is achievable. Parliament to create Plastic Free Coastlines. the world. The United Nations Environment By all doing our small part, we can create Team have been impressed with the • Plastic Cutlery positive long-lasting change that will put an effectiveness of the campaign and the • Plastic Straws and Stirrers end to unnecessary single-use plastics. determination to have elected officials lead • Single Serve Condiments by example, we are working with them to • Soft Drink Bottles explore opportunities. • Coffee Cups (incl. Lids) 20 Plastic Free Schools Plastic Free Schools 21
Who better to drive positive change than #PowerToThePupils young people? Our pupil-led education Every action is a victory in the fight programme launched in late November against plastic pollution. It’s an issue that 2017 amid growing national awareness and has no easy fix and will take behavioural concern for our unnecessary and excessive change from individuals, governments single-use plastic consumption. The result and industry to stem the flow of single- of which is being spewed out on coastlines use plastics. However we know that the across the world. positive actions of students across the UK Plastic Free Plastic Free Schools is a tool for positive can help inspire a wider concerted change. change, with over 170 schools and over The 170 participating schools are already 55,000 pupils already signed up, we can and moving swiftly through the programme, ARE making waves of change in schools setting up single-use plastic bottle amnesty and communities across our island nation. days and conducting very serious school litter audits, more commonly known as TRASH MOBS! Want to get stuck in and run your own Trash Mob? Head to page 32. SCHOOLS How to Become a Plastic Free School Never underestimate To achieve Plastic Free Schools status, these five objectives need to be completed: S
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Objective One: Join the Resistance 2018 It is time to resist this plastic flood. Pupils PIPELINE105 We are all, perfectly placed are asked to identify and create a team to identify areas that need who will work together to take action on single-use plastics in their school. changing on a personal and local level. These local actions Objective Two: On the Ground Action Eliminating single-use plastic together. are beginning to join together Students are asked to set up a single-use to form a bigger picture of plastic boycott day, stemming the flow of plastic pollution before tackling the positive change. pieces that have already escaped by organising a very serious TRASH MOB! A trash mob is a high energy litter pick in the school grounds.
Objective Three: Challenging Government Never underestimate the power of your voice. Using everything they have learnt so far, pupils are guided through the process of writing an impactful letter to their local MP to ask for their support.
Opposite: Velmead School 22 Plastic Free Schools Plastic Free Schools 23
Objective Four: Challenging Industry Industry spends a lot of time and money making their brand and products look good. More often than not, it is the branded products that we find littering our playgrounds, streets, woodlands, and beaches. In Objective Four, pupils challenge industry to make positive packaging changes, closing the loop on the linear lifecycle of products.
Objective Five: You Are the Resistance St Agnes Primary School Ashley School Creating a plastic-free legacy at schools across the UK. Objective Five is simple, we need to pledge to make these commitments last.
Plastic Free Schools Campaign Victory: Cool Milk Container Switch Cool Milk is the UK’s leading school Marazion School S milk supplier, working in partnership pring
with local authorities and early years What is Next for Plastic Free Schools? 2018 groups. Cool Milk helps to supply free and Now that our schools have collected their PIPELINE105 subsidised school milk to children in pre- own evidence demonstrating a clear schools, nurseries and primary schools. need for change, the time has come to In short, they are a massive company and share their actions with government and pupils in our programme have triggered a industry. Pupils will now be writing letters positive change in how they supply their to their local MPs asking them to follow milk to schools. suit and respond to the need for change. Two of our participating Plastic Free The Plastic Free Schools programme Marazion School Schools have separately contacted Cool is playing a vital part in our overarching Milk asking for a swap in the way their Plastic Free Coastlines and Plastic Free milk is sent to their school, both times Cool Parliament campaigns. Joining the actions Milk have responded positively swapping and voices of schools, supporters, beach to either glass or larger containers of cleaners and everyone in between creates milk that can be poured into beakers. a real force to be reckoned with. This seemingly simple ask amplifies our If you would like to register your #PowerToThePupils message. interest in the Plastic Free Schools programme please get in touch! If We Don’t Act, Then Who on Earth Will? We will be re-opening entries for the We are all perfectly placed to identify 2018/19 academic year this June and look areas that need changing on a personal forward to working with you. Email Ellie and local level. These local actions are at [email protected] beginning to join together to form a bigger picture of positive change. #PowerToThePupils Knelston Primary School 24 Meet the team Meet the team 25
8 11 4 12 1 3 6 9 7 2 5 MEET 10
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16 THE 15 14 S pring 2018 PIPELINE105 TEAM 17 16 of us work at SAS HQ and here’s what we do…
1. Hugo 3. Pete 5. Ro 7. Katie 9. Ellie 11. James 13. Dom 15. Amy Chief Executive Head of Fundraising Finance Manager Community & Events Education & Design Officer Campaign Officer Projects Manager Retail Coordinator Often found in important Raises hundreds of Ro keeps all our finances Fundraising Officer Ellie loves nothing Recently joined us from Dom has grown our beach Manages all things SAS meetings, on sleeper thousands of pounds for in check and makes the If you’re running a better than inspiring Forest Peoples Programme cleans and education shop. Owner of amazing trains to London and at SAS’s work via trusts, whole organisation run marathon, baking a cake young people to make a to run our Plastic Free programme from a one-eyed, wonky-tailed, his desk very early on grants and corporate smoothly. She’s also or shaking a bucket, Katie difference. She’s also very Communities project. We handful of participants to hairless cat. Monday mornings with a support. Also moonlights handy, currently working is your girl! She is also a at home selling tea at should actually call him tens of thousands! Also vat of coffee! as the office handy man. on a home renovation. prolific flapjack baker. festivals. Doctor Harvey. has strange fascination 16. Jacey with a piece of sparkly Fundraising Officer 2. Rachel 4. Sally 6. Louise 8. Jack 10. Nancy 12. David pink fabric. Looks after our members Plastic Free Coastlines Officer Marketing & Trusts & Grants Officer Community Coordinator Finance Assistant Science & Policy Officer and 250 Club and is the Leader of Plastic Free Communications Officer Works with our smaller Jack manages our Regional Originally a long-serving Puts together the facts 14. Jess first point of contact for Penzance, Regional Rep Always on the hunt for a trusts and grants and Reps programme, the office volunteer, Nancy and figures behind the Deputy Head of Fundraising & any inquiries. Secretly is and now helper of all story, Sally writes across supports Pete. Louise also annual Beach Cleans and now helps out Ro. She projects. Over-‘seas’ Communication the actual boss. things Plastic Free! all our platforms. Recently enjoys cycling the hilly big events. He’s also not also jumps out of planes, the water quality app. Oversees membership, returned from travelling coastline of Cornwall in bad at swimming. for fun! Specialises in puns. all individual donations 17. Toby Costa Rica and Nicaragua. search of coffee and cake. and communications. Office dog Keeps the office plants Thiever of low lying foods. alive, mostly. 26 BSBC 2018 BSBC 2018 27 BIG SPRING PIPELINE105 BEACH CLEAN Tackling ‘Avoidable’ Plastics from Source to Sea at 500 British Beaches and Waterways. 2018 Image: Ian Lean 28 BSBC 2018 BSBC 2018 29
TARGET INSPIRE REMOVE RECYCLE COORDINATE Over 500 beaches 20,000 50,000 sacks 20,000 single- #AvoidablePlastics and rivers people of plastic use drinks a mass citizen nationwide to join in pollution bottles science action
Become a Beach Clean Leader Supporting Beach Clean Leaders Leading a beach clean couldn’t be easier. Hundreds of Beach Clean Leaders have We will provide you with everything already stepped up to the challenge. If you need, free of charge. All you need you don’t fancy leading a clean, you can to do is gather some friends, family and still get involved by heading down to your colleagues and head to the beach. nearest event and mucking in. If you would like to lead a beach clean Find your nearest event by visiting at our Big Spring Beach Clean (7-15th April), www.sas.org.uk and selecting your region S email Jack at [email protected]. from the ‘In Your Region’ tab. pring
All Beach Clean Leaders will receive Thanks to our Big Spring Beach Clean 2018 BSBC 2017 at Hayle Beach, Cornwall. Image: Ian Lean a limited edition stainless steel Klean partners the Environment Agency and PIPELINE105 Kanteen Beaker. Klean Kanteen.
In the last decade, the Big Spring Tidelines to Treasury Beach Clean has grown into one of the This year, the Big Spring Beach Clean biggest gatherings of environmental will have more impact than ever before. volunteers in the world. Together, we Our efforts and evidence will reach far have visited over 1,200 beaches and beyond our shores, to the very heart of removed millions of pieces of plastic government, acting as a catalyst for change. from the marine environment. With your help we are aiming to: The ‘Attenborough Effect’ • Target – over 500 beaches and This huge effort is reflected in the recent rivers nationwide, explosion of awareness and action around • Inspire – 20,000 people to join in, the issue of ocean plastic pollution that • Remove – 50,000 sacks of plastic pollution, was so powerfully demonstrated by the • Recycle – 20,000 single-use drinks bottles, BBC’s Blue Planet II. Nicknamed the • Coordinate – a mass citizen science action ‘Attenborough Effect’ , this surging wave to support the Treasury’s consultation of awareness can be traced back to ripples on plastics and taxes by flooding social generated by those pioneering beach clean media with images using the hashtag communities, many of whom are still #AvoidablePlastics as evidence. active with us to this day. 30 BSBC Appeal BSBC appeal 31 BIG SPRING BEACH CLEAN S Can you help us pring
raise £6000? 2018 The packs include: Please Help Make a Difference to Your PIPELINE105 Appeal Coastline Today! 1. Gloves Donate Online 2. Bin bags • Head to www.sas.org.uk/donate We are delighted that so many awesome Spring Beach Cleans all around the UK. 3. Hand sanitiser • Click ‘Join/Donate Today’ volunteers have stepped forward wanting These packs enable our volunteers to host 4. First Aid Kit • Then ‘Give a Single Donation’ to run a Big Spring Beach Clean this year! a beach clean without having to invest 5. Plastic bottle reusable recycling sack • Type £5 into the ‘Other’ box and away However, we’ve been inundated with anything except their time, something 6. Beach Cleaner badge you go! requests for Beach Clean packs so need to we are very proud of. Many other 7. SAS info on plastic pollution raise funds to send out more! organisations charge their volunteers up 8. Our membership magazine Pipeline Donate Over the Phone We need £6000 to buy more to £175 per beach clean pack, but we have Just call Jacey on 01872 553001 equipment, print more materials and generous funding from our corporate post 130 more packs to help support the supporters which helps us keep costs to Every Beach Clean Makes a Difference Send Us a Cheque upcoming beach cleans! Would you be a minimum. However, due to the huge Every beach clean inspires an average of 31 Payable to Surfers Against Sewage, Unit 2, able to spare an extra £5 this month to amount of people wanting to make a volunteers and helps remove at least 27kg Wheal Kitty, St Agnes, TR5 0RD help fund our Big Spring Beach Clean this difference to their coastline this Spring, of plastic pollution. That means that if April? If 1 in every 6 members did, we we need extra funding! we meet our fundraising target of £6000, Make a Bank Transfer would meet our target! The beach clean packs provide we’ll be able to inspire 4030 more people Account: Surfers Against Sewage Every year we send out hundreds our beach cleaning communities with and remove 3510 kg of plastic pollution. Sort Code: 30-98-76 of Beach Clean packs at no cost to everything they need to pick up litter Plastic pollution that would otherwise Account No: 01446231 our volunteers. They’re packed by and dispose of it safely, as well as find get washed back out to sea, causing Just make a note of ‘BSBC Appeal’ on your volunteers and sent from our St Agnes HQ out more about the problem and recycle untold problems to marine life including donation please! Thank you members! We to our lead volunteers who are running Big plastic bottles effectively. entangling, choking and poisoning. really appreciate your support. NUMBER OF TRASH MOBSTERS: NUMBER OF BOTTLES COLLECTED:
BUCKETS / BAGS FILLED: PHOTOGRAPHS SENT BACK TO SAS HQ?
*REMEMBER - IF YOU CAN RECYCLE DO RECYCLE! 34 Interview Interview 35
year, we hope that we will have converted Q: What is the biggest challenge to all of our 100 million black plastic trays to Iceland in going plastic-free? wooden board. We are also bringing in new A: Probably plastic milk bottles, which ranges of veg and chips in paper based bags are currently made from HDPE plastic. as opposed to plastic. And, we will be out of But even with that, we are working on a Interview: single-use plastic bags within the next six variety of different solutions already. months. We are switching all of our plastic egg trays to wooden pulp trays in the next Q: How are your customers reacting to few weeks too. the changes? A: The consumer response has been Q: Have you personally been inspired to absolutely overwhelming. My dad (who Richard make any changes to your daily life? founded Iceland nearly 50 years ago) A: There is a lot everyone can do in originally said that he didn’t think that their personal lives to reduce plastic our customers would be that fussed or eliminate it. At home, we only use about removing plastic, but since our glass bottles or tap water. And in the announcement, the phones have been office, we have gifted everyone an ringing red-hot and we have had letters Walker Q: As a surfer, what kind of plastic aluminium drinking bottle with the aim from all over the country praising our Managing Director at Iceland pollution have you personally seen on of eliminating all plastic from our Head move. You don’t need to be a Waitrose your trips around the world? Office as quickly as we can. There are customer to care about the environment. S Q: Hi Richard, we were delighted to hear A: I’ve seen all sorts of plastic pollution now some really cool reusable coffee cups Iceland is for everyone, and everyone pring
that Iceland has pledged to go ‘plastic-free’ around the world. Close to home, on the out there too – ones made from bamboo cares about reducing plastics nowadays. 2018 – aiming to eliminate all single-use plastics North Cornish beaches, you can see the mid for example. Now I never use disposable PIPELINE105 from your own brand in the next five years. tide deposits of ‘mermaids’ tears’ (known coffee cups, as they cannot be recycled. Q: Have you had any conversations with What made you decide to make this step? as nurdles). These are the raw material for other big retailers about their moves? A: I’ve been aware of the scourge of plastic production that somehow are getting Q: Have you come across any A: We are trying to engage the other plastics for many years. I’ve noticed the into the marine environment and building impossibilities yet? retailers, because this is a time for problem getting worse over the last couple up in the sand on our beaches. Perhaps A: The screen saver on my laptop is collaboration. However, so far their of years and that’s played out by the fact the worst place I’ve been was Morocco ‘Nothing is impossible!’ announcements have been nowhere near that there has been more plastic produced where both the beaches and the water were good enough. We recently wrote to all the in the last 10 years than the previous 100 absolutely filthy with all types of different What has changed in technology to make this bosses of the big retailers, but only heard years. The problem of plastic pollution is plastic pollution. more possible than it was five years ago? back from Tesco. I’m hopeful that we can getting exponentially worse. Indeed – five years ago, this would not start to work together to solve this crisis. Everyone, from consumers through to Q: What progress have you already made have been possible. However, through a retailers, needs to stand up and recognise in going plastic-free at Iceland? combination of old school technology (such Q: What would you advise other their responsibility - and the reality is A: We’ve been working on eliminating as cellulose-based films) and cutting edge businesses to do that are thinking about that Iceland are a leading contributor plastics for over 12 months and thinking innovation (such as plant-based packaging) making changes? to this plastic waste. As an example, we about it for perhaps 18 months. We’ve it is now possible to make plastic elimination A: I would advise any business to stop produce 100 million black plastic trays already made quite a lot of progress. Last year a reality. What’s funny is that some thinking about it, and start doing! The every year for our ready meals, which we banned plastic straws and called upon manufacturers have been quietly working on genie is out of the bottle and the consumer cannot be recycled. It was time to stand the Government to bring in a Deposit Return solutions for the last 15 years, but there was desire to reduce plastic is overwhelming. up and recognise our responsibility and do Scheme for plastic bottles. This month, we no consumer or retailer demand for them. It actually makes really good business something about this issue. have our first new ranges of ready meals So a lot of the ideas are not ‘new’ but rather sense to listen to the customer and start that are in wooden board trays as opposed to are now commercially scalable because we reducing plastic now. those black plastic trays. By the end of this have created the demand. 36 Greggs school beach clean box Greggs school beach clean box 37
Supplying Emergency Beach Protection Kits to OCEAN schools and community groups battling ocean GUARDIANS, plastic pollution.
This January we sent out a call for coastal communities to apply to receive one of 25 limited edition Beach Protection Kits. Image: Ian Lean ASSEMBLE! It takes huge commitment and heart to become Ocean Guardians and we were The Ocean Guardian Pledge blown away to receive over 50 incredible From Rye to Rum, each of our Ocean entries from all corners of the country. Guardian Teams has pledged to protect and promote their home beaches by What is an Emergency Beach leading community beach cleans, S Protection Kit? education events, supporting our pring
A Schools Beach Clean Box upstream solutions projects like Plastic 2018 An even more radical version of our Free Communities and so much more. PIPELINE105 community Beach Clean Boxes, including: Now they need your support! Take citizen science test-tube kits, beach the Ocean Guardian pledge and get clean backpacks, a Marine Litter Museum involved with your nearest team at display box and more! We can’t wait to see [email protected] what the successful teams can achieve with their amazing new boxes! Ocean Guardian Future We have big plans for the future and if your A #MINIBEACHCLEAN Bin school or community group is interested in Brand new, big and bold, these are far fundraising to create your own kits, then more than just a bin! Stationed at the please do get in touch with us here at SAS beach, they will provide the information, HQ on [email protected] inspiration, guidance and equipment for beach-goers to do their own Thanks to Greggs for their support in #MINIBEACHCLEAN. creating the Ocean Plastic Emergency Kits.
Ocean Guardian Teams A very cool part of the project; the winning schools will join forces with their local SAS Regional Rep to form special Ocean Guardian Teams, signing up to protect their local stretch of coastline together. Image: Ian Lean 38 Beach Bums Beach Bums 39 Beach Bums The results of an SAS- supported study are in.
Many of you will remember the Beach Bums study, whether you took part or read about it in Pipeline 96 when it was launched. The study sought to gain insight into the microbes that colonised participants’ guts and compare samples S from those who regularly spend time pring
in seawater with those who don’t. The 2018 intention was to build a clearer picture PIPELINE105 of how antibiotic resistance in the environment can affect people.
The Results Are In! Regular surfers and bodyboarders are three times more likely to have antibiotic resistant E. coli in their guts than non-surfers. SAS and our supporters assisted in the research conducted by the University of Exeter to recruit surfers and non-surfers for the Beach Bums study. Three hundred people, half of whom regularly surf the UK’s coastline, were recruited to take rectal swabs. Previous research had already identified that surfers swallow 10 times more sea water than sea swimmers. It was important to find out if that made them more vulnerable to bacteria that pollutes seawater and whether those bacteria are resistant to an antibiotic. 40 Beach Bums Beach Bums 41
Scientists compared faecal samples from surfers and non-surfers to assess whether the surfers’ guts contained E. We urgently need to know coli bacteria that were able to grow in the presence of cefotaxime, a commonly more about how humans are used and clinically important antibiotic. exposed to these bacteria and Cefotaxime has previously been how they colonise our guts. prescribed to kill off these bacteria, but some have acquired genes that enable This research is the first of its them to survive this treatment. kind to identify an association The Beach Bums study, published in the Environment International journal, between surfing and gut found that 13 of 143 (9%) surfers were colonisation by antibiotic colonised by these resistant bacteria, compared to just four of 130 (3%) non- resistant bacteria. surfers swabbed. That meant that the — Dr Anne Leonard, University of Exeter Medical School bacteria would continue to grow even if treated with cefotaxime. Dr Anne Leonard of the University of Despite extensive operations to clean that infections such as pneumonia, to surfers and bodyboarders in the UK, it Exeter Medical School led the research up coastal waters and beaches, bacteria tuberculosis, blood poisoning, gonorrhoea, should not prevent people from heading S and said: “Antimicrobial resistance has which are potentially harmful to humans and food and waterborne diseases could to our coasts. Water quality in the UK has pring
been globally recognised as one of the still enter the coastal environment be fatal. It would also mean that it would improved vastly in the past 30 years and is 2018 greatest health challenges of our time, through sewage and waste pollution from no longer be possible to use antibiotics some of the cleanest in Europe. PIPELINE105 and there is now an increasing focus on sources, including water run-off from to prevent infections in routine medical Recognising coastal waters as a how resistance can be spread through our farm crops treated with manure. In the procedures, such as joint replacements pathway for antibiotic resistance can allow natural environments. paper, the authors demonstrated the and chemotherapy. policy makers to make changes to protect “We urgently need to know more about prevalence of cefotaxime-resistant E. The 2016 O’Neill report commissioned water users and the wider public from the how humans are exposed to these bacteria coli in UK bathing waters as well as the by the UK government estimated that threat of antibiotic resistance. SAS always and how they colonise our guts. This prevalence of the mobile resistance gene antimicrobial resistant infections could recommend water users check the Safer research is the first of its kind to identify that make bacteria cefotaxime-resistant. kill one person every three seconds by the Seas Service before heading to the sea to an association between surfing and gut They estimated that over 2.5 million water year 2050 if current trends continue. avoid any pollution incidents and ensure colonisation by antibiotic resistant bacteria.” sports sessions occurred in England and Up to now, solutions on addressing the best possible experience in the UK’s Researchers also found that regular Wales in 2015, which involved ingestion of the issue have largely focused on coastal waters. surfers were four times as likely to E. coli bacteria harbouring these mobile prescribing and use. However, increasing Surfers Against Sewage will be harbour bacteria that contain mobile resistance genes. They found that surfers priority is being placed on the role of the redeveloping the Safer Seas Service for the genes that make bacteria resistant to the are particularly vulnerable to ingesting environment in spreading the problem in upcoming bathing season to bring it in line antibiotic. This is significant because the the bacteria because they swallow up to 10 addition to transmission within hospitals, with new technology. The App will continue genes can be passed between bacteria times more water than sea swimmers. between people and via food. to be free to download and the interactive – potentially spreading the ability to map available via the SAS website: resist antibiotic treatment between The Antibiotic Resistant Era Should we avoid the sea?! www.sas.org.uk/safer-seas-service bacteria. Recently, the UN Environment The World Health Organization has No! Please continue to use the sea. As we all The Beach Bums study was led by Assembly recognised the spread of warned that we may be entering an era in know, the sea has many benefits to health the University of Exeter and funded antibiotic resistance in the environment which antibiotics are no longer effective and wellbeing as well as connecting us to by the Natural Environment Research as one of the world’s greatest emerging to kill simple and previously treatable the natural environment. While the Beach Council and the European Regional environmental concerns. bacterial infections. This would mean Bums study highlights an emerging threat Development Fund. 42 SAS SHOP SAS SHOP 43 ECO LIVING Helping you say goodbye to single-use plastics! BEST SELLER! < Coffee Cups Our bamboo coffee cups are a great alternative to single-use takeaway cups, and are now available in a range of seven awesome colours!
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SALE! < ILLUSTRATED TOTE 10% membership discount code: Designed by Alex T. Frazer, the ‘For the Love of Waves’ bag is the perfect size for shopping and is made of 100% saveourseas organic cotton! Now 50% off in our sale, it’s the perfect time to bag your own!
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sas.org.uk/shop sas.org.uk/shop 44 SAS SHOP SAS SHOP 45 GUPPY FRIEND BEESWAX WRAPS A practical and effective way to reduce A practical and effective way to reduce plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans plastic pollution in our rivers and oceans
Handmade in the Cotswolds by Carly New! and Fran, Beeswax Wraps are our new favourite way to ditch Clingfilm and tinfoil – plus they make your lunch look really cool! Made from cotton and locally sourced beeswax, the wraps are 100% natural, and the ingredients give them antibacterial and antifungal properties! Now available in the SAS shop.
Pack of 3 – £20 S pring 2018 PIPELINE105 BOUNCY CASTLE RANGE Totes, washbags and purses
In a seaside workshop on the Isle of Wight, Lou, Georgia and Steve make our To date, microplastics The Guppyfriend Washing Washing Bag, so they don’t end Bouncy Castle tote bags, washbags and have been found in around Bag is the first practical way up in our rivers and oceans. coin purses from materials that were 600 marine species, and to prevent the tiny microfibres Guppy Friend is made of the otherwise destined for landfill! Each the decomposition of this from our clothing entering into highest quality polyamide, and item is unique and made from recycled pollution takes up to 450 years. our rivers and oceans. The is designed to be fully recycled British bouncy castle. Since they began Microfibres shed from clothing bag even helps your clothes to at the end of its lifecycle. Guppy making these fab accessories, the during washing are a significant last longer, as its soft surface Friend Washing Bags are now team at Wyatt and Jack have recycled source of marine debris, and results in fewer fibre losses! available in the SAS shop! around 14 tonnes of bouncy castle! now we have something to help The fibres that do break off are you reduce your impact. captured inside the Guppy Friend £25 Available in the SAS shop from £14.50
sas.org.uk/shop sas.org.uk/shop 46 Fundraising Fundraising 47
Our Collection boxes are out and Thank you East Coast Visions, who Instead of Black Friday discounts, Big have raised a fantastic £464.55 at organised a night of music and Balls Collective donated the price of various locations across the UK, pizza with raffle, raising £578! Keep discounts to SAS – raising £471. including: Saltrock in Falmouth and an eye out for their 2018 event! Tenby, Chapel Porth Café, Lavender Dame Allan School and Somers and Bone in New Brighton, The Park School held cake sales for Summerhouse and The Peppercorn SAS and raised a fabulous £104.18 Café in Marazion, The Victoria Inn and £85 respectively! and The Cabin in Perranuthnoe, The Natural Store in Falmouth, The The cast and crew of Arabian Nights Unicorn in Porthleven and Rustic at Dragon School, Oxford raised Cakes in St Agnes. Thank you all! £242.58 following a performance!
Thank you to Lawrence of Ocean Thrive Physiotherapy, Guernsey High who organised a charity Santa held a talk and asked for donations Stand up Paddleboard beach clean on the night, raising £107! and raised £60! Asda, Penryn chose SAS as one of Once again, Phil Brown undertook their Green Token charities, raising another run for SAS and in 2017 it £200! was the Bournemouth 10k, he raised a fantastic £1110! S pring 2018 PIPELINE105 Thank you to the Smart Renewable Heat LTD Truro Office who donated £200 to SAS!
Regional Reps Adam and Jack entered the Exmoor Swim and Fundraising raised over £1000 complete with Heroes marine litter outfits! The SAS team enjoyed an evening at the St Agnes Hotel for a pub quiz and raised £205! Thank you Pozé, who dedicate 5% 2017 ended with a wonderful evening at of tee profits to SAS… so far they Truro Methodist Church. Although the The Falmouth Campus Library, have donated £29! final figure is still to come in, the current Falmouth University held a table top sale in aid of SAS and on the SAS held an instore collection total raised stands at around £2000! day raised £140! at Asda, Hayle and generous Thank you to everyone who supported customers helped us raise £100.55! this concert – we certainly had a fantastic The Mithian School dads held night watching Chris Bannister perform their annual quiz in aid of SAS Thank you Freeze Pro Shop, who and donated £140 to help protect held a movie night in aid of SAS; the music of John Denver with the their coastline! they donated £350! Cornwall Symphony Chorus. 48 Fundraising Fundraising 49
Regional Rep Alex recently The Nisa ‘Making a Difference completed his year-long challenge Locally’ scheme donated £300 to Every year that passes we Regional Rep Sian is currently kayaking and stand-up paddle help protect the UK’s coastline! develop new ideas to help circumnavigating Wales on a boarding the main rivers in Suffolk, protect our oceans, waves raising £322 and collecting 365 The University of Surrey Surf Club and beaches and we rely on stand-up paddle board while plastic bottles! donated a fantastic £190 from a recent fundraiser they organised in incredible people like YOU to raising money for SAS! aid of SAS! do incredible things. Right from the word go, SAS are on hand The expedition is a 1000km Will at Retrojam donated £350 from a recent ‘for the love of disco’ night! to support you as you fundraise journey, including inland and prepare for the event. canals, rivers and along the Thank you to Magic Rock Brewing Whether you have limited for organising an evening in aid of time, a day or two to volunteer rugged coastline, tackling fast SAS which included a raffle. They raised £237.50! or finally want to tick that flowing water and negotiating challenge off your bucket list, Nalu Beads donate £2 for every every penny raised makes a busy shipping channels. SAS bead sold, their most recent donation was £110! difference to your coastline! Good luck, Sian!
The Summerhouse, Marazion Contact [email protected] / hosted an ‘Of Time and Tide’ 01872 555947 to start your gallery viewing, raising £300! fundraising journey today! Oli decided to enter an ultra- S
marathon around the Gower coast pring path and raised over £500 while
litter picking along the way! 2018 PIPELINE105
Thank you to Roger who in September 2017 undertook the Ironman in Wales in memory of Dartington. He raised a fantastic £1571.
Thank you Mogwai, who had a collection at their most recent concert in Bristol; they raised £130!
Thank you to Wise Jumpers, who donated a percentage of each jumper sold, have kindly donated £60!
The Martin Luck Group recently donated £1 from every tea and coffee purchase, totalling £30! Thank you!
A recent Plastic Free Movie Night at the Aberystwyth Bandstand raised £175 for SAS!
Blackwater School recently donated £34 from fundraising activities they undertook. Image: James Chapman 50 Deposit Return Scheme Deposit Return Scheme 51
The key paragraph in the Government response to the Environmental Audit Committee is: “The Voluntary and Economic These potential incentives Incentives working group is due to report would all work towards the to Ministers shortly with their findings same overall outcomes of from the call for evidence and advice on Deposit a potential way forward. We will need to increasing recycling and consider how a Deposit Return Scheme reducing litter. or other behavioural incentives would fit with other planned work, such as wider reform of the packaging waste producer responsibility regime and the call for evidence on the potential for taxes or Return charges for single-use plastics, in order We urge the Government to avoid producers or consumers being of between 10–20p is added to the purchase charged multiple times for the same costs of drinks containers. Consumers are not to backslide on progress products. These potential incentives then provided with highly accessible return towards a UK-wide deposit would all work towards the same overall points to easily reclaim their deposit from outcomes of increasing recycling and the container. It is a deposit, not a tax. S return scheme. reducing litter.” This system is highly effective at reducing pring
SCHEME It is now more vital than ever before to littering, increasing recycling rates, 2018 keep pressure on our politicians to make improving the quality of recyclate, creating PIPELINE105 In the UK we use a staggering 38.5 million that the ‘Government introduces a legislated sure England does not get left behind green jobs and a circular economy, and single-use plastic bottles every day. Deposit Return Scheme for all PET plastic on tackling plastic bottle pollution and lowering carbon emissions. Only half of these are recycled, so it’s drinks bottles.’ This was a fantastic step commits to a UK-wide DRS. This is a Typically, they can deliver recycling no surprise that many of these end up forward for our campaign and towards a proven mechanism to trap plastic, glass rates of between 90-100%, preventing on our beaches and in our oceans. Our UK-wide DRS. and metal in the economy rather than in plastic, glass bottles, and cans from campaigners have been at the forefront We’ve already seen the Scottish the environment. This could be the start escaping into the environment. Deposit of calling for a UK-wide Deposit Return Government commit to a DRS and our of further backsliding by the Government. Return Schemes also help change public Scheme (DRS) on plastic bottles to stop team has recently been in Edinburgh We want to see the Government perceptions; reframing drinks containers plastic pollution, including delivering consulting on the scope of the system follow Scotland’s lead and introduce a as a valuable resource. Removing bulky a petition with over 325,000 signatures proposed for Scotland. However, sinister comprehensive Deposit Return Scheme for bottles and cans from bins can also result supporting this call to the Prime Minister. industry forces are now at work in England. The time for action is now and we in reduced requirements to empty the The petition has also featured England, lobbying government ministers urge the government to implement new bins and reduced litter spilling from prominently in our evidence supporting in an attempt to water down and derail policies and legislation that the country is overflowing bins. a UK-wide DRS presented to both Defra proposals for England. crying out for to finally go plastic-free. It also takes far less energy to recycle and the Environmental Audit Committee. We were dismayed to hear that the or reuse a container than it does to extract, In December the Environmental Audit recent response by the Government to the Campaign Recap: What is a Deposit refine and process virgin materials into Committee responded to the evidence from Environmental Audit Committee will cause Return Scheme? containers. Recycling metal containers can various cross-sectorial experts, including further delays to the implementation of a Deposit Return Schemes are a common be 95% more energy efficient than making oral and written evidence submitted by UK-wide DRS. The Government indicated strategy to dramatically increase recycling a new can. And aluminium is infinitely SAS, supporting legislation for a DRS on that a decision could be delayed until after and reduce littering by adding value to a recyclable. With these excellent energy plastic bottles. We are delighted that their the Treasury consultation on a tax on material that is currently treated as an savings comes a dramatic reduction in findings concluded with a recommendation single-use plastics, which has yet to start. unwanted waste product. A small deposit greenhouse gas emissions. 52 Deposit Return SCheme Deposit Return Scheme 53
Scheme S pring 2018 PIPELINE105 Scheme 54 250 Club 250 Club 55 Support SAS 250 Club Members Flowmo • Falmouth Lodge Backpackers • Mylor Sailing School with a corporate Watergate Bay Hotel • Adventureline Walking Holidays Blackwater Studios • Ninham Country Holidays • Rustic Cakes membership, Surf Snowdonia • West Wight Holidays • allSisters • Ecogym Freewave Surf Academy • Fourth Element • Hoffmann & Rathbone just like Linda! Psyched Paddleboarding • Butta • CBSVL • Cornish Seaweed Crossways General Store • First Wave Adventures • Just Kampers “I’m Linda Thomas and I’m a member Mungo’s Hastings • Coastal Spirit • Little Tide • Lizard Adventure Ltd of the 250 Club with my business Linda Thomas Eco Design. I make bespoke, Studio in the Sticks • Sundried • Principality Building Society luxurious, upcycled clothing, including Eat 2 Fingers • Esmé Wellbeing • Harwoods Garage • Marsdens Devon Cottages wedding dresses. Last year I took my passion for My Claim Solved • Whale of a Time Clothing • Inverted Turtle • Mantis World tackling marine waste to a new level, Ocean Helper • Adventure South • Helping Hand Environmental creating the ‘Wave of Waste’ dress. This S was 22 metres long, made from 100 cheap Ashley House Printing Company • Bridge Bike Hire • Buff pring Linda Thomas and Neil Hembrow with Emma Skinner in the
polystyrene surfboards collected from just Wave of Waste dress. Image: Symages Photography Christian Surfers UK • Crantock Bay • Dor & Tan • EcoStardust 2018 three Cornish beaches by Beach Care SW. PIPELINE105 The story was spread far and wide, Elite Automotive • Escape Surf School • Gypsy Pirates • Kernow Fires which then encouraged me to do the meaning with my work and it feels good to Northcore • St Georges Country House Hotel • Stitches + Steel • SW1 Productions next dress ‘99 Dead Balloons’, inspired know that I am really helping tackle the by the children’s book ‘Marli’s Tangled problem of marine waste with my designs • Whitby & Co • Wholegrain Digital • Asanox • Big Balls Collective Tale’ by Ellie Jackson. For this dress the and my money. If you’re wavering, then Forever Cornwall • Pin-Up Brewing Co • Waste Paper Solutions #2minutebeachclean community sent ask yourself, does SAS fit with my business Cullercoats Bike & Kayak • Freeze Pro Shop • Infinity Foods • Davy J me rescued balloons, Ellie’s daughter ethos, and if it does, just do it!” modelled it alongside her mum wearing Linda Thomas Eco Design • Modesto. Works • Scapa Fest • eola a balloon cape in some classic Cornish A big thank you to those businesses that Hyde + Hyde Architects • Leap Media • Skunkworks • View Shed • &Keep December weather. already support SAS with a 250 Club My aim with these dresses is to corporate membership. If you would like Get on the Water • Marraum • Rittz Clothing • Seafood and Eat It educate around specific marine plastic some more information or want to get Sykes Cottages • Woodfired Canteen • Best of Wales • BOING Jewellery issues. I am excited about 2018 as I feel involved, please contact Jacey at Blue Planet II has moved things on from [email protected]. Earth Friendly Foodware • Elements Brand Management • Henry Burgers ‘is there a problem’ to positive action JensonR+ Ltd • Kobe Surf • Over the Moon Tents • Trident Marine being taken. At first, I thought, how can I support With Bear Hands • APC Wet Paint Ltd • Dinghy • Freshwell Camping an organisation like SAS when I’m running Sunday Collab • The Slipway • TideUp • Utili-Light • Wild & Free Adventures a small, one-woman business? My eco- warrior son told me to just go for it! Quba Group (Quba Solutions • Clipper Contracting Group • Quba Accountants) Being a part of this community of Kind • Beeswax Wraps • Sponge UK • Indi Boards businesses has given me extra courage and 56 Star Supporter Star Supporter 57
Q: How did you first get involved with SAS? by-product of that is evident on the local Q: What were your biggest successes? A: I have always donated to SAS when I beaches. More recently I’ve also become far A: Business and community buy-in has can, but I first got involved as a volunteer more aware of wildlife disturbance and the been brilliant! Once word got out what we Star when I moved back home to Cornwall in impact of the tourist industry on our coast were trying to achieve, we were inundated. 2008 and started doing local beach cleans. and marine life. Public support has been awesome too – I I organised my first Big Spring Beach feel really proud of the town I live in! Clean as a lead volunteer in Spring 2014 Q: You recently led Penzance in becoming and signed up as a Rep the following year. the UK’s first Plastic Free Community! Q: What do you love about Penzance? Supporter The rest, as they say, is history! How did you do it? A: Everything! Even the bad bits. Penzance A: We started small and worked through has a great vibe and a really interesting Name: Rachel Yates Q: What environmental concerns do you the SAS Plastic Free Communities toolkit. scene. It isn’t obvious or pretentious, Age: 43 have in your area? The toolkits are great for guiding the you have to look to find it and I love that. Occupation: Journalist/Writer A: Sadly I have a few. Plastic pollution is process and have all the information you There are so many pro-active, creative, Lives: Penzance obviously the big one. It is so evident on need in them. First, we got a group of entrepreneurial, socially minded people our local beaches here, but also inland. It likeminded people together to help us get living here and there is a really positive makes me so sad to see how much litter things off the ground. We then got in touch feeling at the moment that we can rejuvenate is strewn in our hedges, roadside verges with businesses who had already started our town. Its architecture is beautiful, and roundabouts and a great deal of that tackling single-use items and championed there are so many hidden gems in terms of makes its way to local watercourses and their efforts, using them as ‘mentors’ businesses and ventures too. It’s remained a into the sea. to encourage others to do the same. We proper Cornish town where others have lost S Dealing with fishing-related litter is supported other local environment groups, their identity. And of course… being right by pring
also a big one. We live near Newlyn, one of rolled out the SAS Plastic Free Schools the ocean! Best place ever. 2018 the biggest fishing ports in the UK and the campaign and did talks and workshops PIPELINE105 for groups like the Brownies and local Q: What are your top tips for making churches. We held a couple of beach clean plastic-free changes? events and then we presented our work A: Keep it simple. Just do one thing at a to the Town Council who unanimously time. Maybe start with stopping using backed it. Finally, we set up our strategic plastic water bottles and when that group to take the campaign forward as settles, move to coffee cups, then start a community, picking key players and being more on it with taking a packed decision makers so it has real impact. lunch to work or being more aware of what you’re putting in your kids’ packed lunch Q: What were your biggest challenges? boxes. All these small steps add up. A: Time! It’s been a crazy few months and is quite easily a full-time job if you let Q: What’s your next move? it be. It’s important to have boundaries A: We have the Big Spring Beach Clean and remember that it’s a community coming up and we are aiming for our biggest effort. It’s paramount that the people yet, so that will be fun! We’ve also got a leading the community need to take beach clean after-party to raise funds for responsibility and action too. Luckily, SAS the same day which we’re hoping will we’ve had amazing support and each be a really good night out and raise plenty of our strategic group members from of money to support Plastic Free Coastlines. the Town Council to the Chamber of I’m also determined to continue building Commerce and Tourism Association is Plastic Free Penzance, it is such a positive committed to making real change. thing for our town and community. 58 Plastic-Free ISSUEs Plastic-Free ISSUEs 59
Natural Cleaning Product RECIPES
Multi-Surface Cleaner Stain Remover for Upholstery How to Go Plastic-free Add a sprig of rosemary to 150ml white Pour 120ml white vinegar, 240ml soda water, vinegar and bring to the boil. 120ml washing-up liquid and 60ml lemon (Without Losing Friends or Living in the Woods) Once cool, add 3 tbsps. bicarbonate of soda, juice into an old spray bottle and let loose. 1 drop of washing-up liquid and 3 drops of Use a nail brush to scrub away stains. Episode 1: Natural Cleaning Products tea tree oil. Stir and pour into an old spray bottle. Laundry Detergent Pods Grate a bar of pure castile soap* and mix with Stainless Steel Cleaner/Bathroom Cleaner 500g soda crystals, 250ml white vinegar and Pour equal parts white vinegar and warm 10-15 drops of an essential oil of your choice. water into an old spray bottle. Press the mixture firmly into two silicone ice Add essential oil to mask the vinegar if you fancy. cube trays and dry overnight. Spray on, wipe off. Pop one pod into the drum each time you put on a wash. For bathrooms, leave for 30 minutes before wiping. Dishwasher Tablets S pring Clogged Drain Mix 250g bicarbonate of soda, 60g citric
acid and 1 tsbp. washing-up liquid. 2018 SPOILER ALERT Mix equal parts salt and bicarbonate
PIPELINE105 Most cleaning of soda in a small glass and pour down the drain. Press firmly into silicon ice cube trays. products can be After 10 mins, level them off and dry replaced by things you Wash down with a small glass of warm already have in vinegar, leave for 10 mins and then flush with overnight. the cupboard! boiling water. Use white vinegar as rinse aid to Image: Greg Martin eliminate streaks. Toilet Cleaning Pods Hello there! My name is Sally – I’m the obvious plastic that creeps in when you Mix 60g bicarbonate of soda with 60g citric acid. Window Cleaner newest member of Team SAS and it’s an least expect it. Add 1 tbsp. washing up liquid gradually until a In an old spray bottle, mix 2 cups of water, 2 absolute pleasure to be here. First thing’s first, plastic-free is not thick paste forms. tbsps. Vinegar, a drop of washing-up liquid and In this column, I’ll be exploring ways to something you can do overnight. Trust 10 drops on an essential oil of your choice. transition to a plastic-free lifestyle without me, I tried (and failed). Avoidable plastic Press the paste firmly into a silicon ice cube Shake and spray onto windows and mirrors shutting yourself off from the outside has weaved its way into every aspect of tray and leave to dry for four hours. and wipe off with old newspaper. world. There will be no need for expensive our lives and unpicking it is a tricky feat. Pop a pod in the loo every time it needs a ingredients or gizmos – just straight- Tricky, indeed, but not impossible. freshen up. forward, easy-to-follow tips and recipes As we’ve just launched our Big Spring that will soon become your new normal. Beach Clean (have you signed up yet?), I’m If you’re reading Pipeline, you jumping on the spring-clean bandwagon Where to buy: Bicarbonate of soda, citric acid, Barrett in the form of Oliva for around £1. probably already have a pretty good idea to bring you a guide to plastic-free essential oils, silicon ice cube trays and soda If you have any questions or would like to of how to live consciously. I won’t bore cleaning. This one is a triple winner as crystals can all be bought cheaply in bulk at suggest some future plastic-free hacks, email you with the basics of reusable cups, bags it saves you money, while also reducing Wilkinson’s or most supermarkets. me at [email protected]. Let me know how and bottles – I’m sure you’ve already got plastic and harmful chemicals from *Castile Soap is 100% pure olive oil soap – you get on with these recipes! that covered. I’ll be focusing on the less entering the environment. it can be bought online or from Holland and This wave’s for you This wave’s for you
Be more Rory Be more courageous, tenacious and adventurous. Be more optimistic Be more happy with your own story.
Be more smiling This Be more hug-giving, more fun sharing, more everyone trusting S Wave’s Be more curious pring
Be more sporting 2018 PIPELINE105 For You Be more exemplary Be more ocean caring, more shark loving, It is with great heartache that we say despite the best-efforts of his friends and more nothing fearing. goodbye to Rory Cheetham, who passed the medical services, Rory passed away away on 12th January 2018, aged just 19. before he was able to reach hospital. Be more every day matters Rory was a son, brother, grandson and Rory was a keen sailor, surfer, skier and Be more Rory. friend to many. Rory was diagnosed with all-round sportsman. Rory also loved the the rare genetic heart disease ARVC at 16 ocean; Rory was studying biology at Exeter If we were all a little bit more Rory, forcing him to give up a promising rugby University with a view to specialising in the world would be a much better place. career, undeterred and after having a Marine Biology and would always check in defibrillator installed in his heart Rory with his family to see if they were watching took up surfing, a sport he truly loved. Blue Planet every Sunday. Andrew Cheetham On 12th January, he spent the We are truly honoured that Rory’s morning surfing at Saunton Beach, Devon family have chosen to support Surfers enjoying the best wave of the year with Against Sewage in his memory. Their Just his friends. Rory’s defibrillator kicked Giving page and private donations have in during the surf, but Rory brushed currently raised over £14,000 and we hope it off. Unfortunately, Rory’s condition to do Rory and his friends and family proud deteriorated on the drive home, and with this incredibly generous donation. Image: Reef plastic – Cherie Bridges 64 Volunteer in Focus Volunteer in focus 65
Thankfully the waters around Merseyside have been cleaned up, the wildlife has returned, and people are using the coast for fun again. I even managed to Volunteer surf a wave or two on the Mersey myself last Q: What made you get involved? year which made for some very strange looks A: As a surfer I had long been aware of from passers-by. the work SAS did, but it was not until I Now I live on the Wirral peninsular met with the team at Somersault festival on the opposite side of the Mersey. I am in Focus a few years back - where I became fully surrounded by ocean and rivers and I have engrossed in the passion and dedication to never been more driven to make sure it never the campaigns that they were discussing - returns to the state it was when I was a child. that I felt the need to get involved. Q: What have you been up to in your area Q: What do you love most about being a in recent months? Q: What will you be working on in the Regional Rep? A: The last few months have been a coming months? A: There have been so many amazing really busy time. Getting to grips with A: There is a lot going on locally at the things that have happened since becoming Plastic Free Coastlines, running film moment. We are involved in some exciting a Rep, but by far the best thing about it has nights and beach cleans has meant that projects across the communities on the been how my friendships and communities the campaigns have not been far from Wirral and working closely with the S have grown. Being a Rep has allowed me people’s minds for very long. council to bring Plastic Free Coastlines to pring
the opportunity to work with and develop The BBC’s Blue Planet 2 series has the Merseyside masses. We are preparing 2018 friendships with some truly amazing contributed significantly in engaging for the Big Spring Beach Clean and PIPELINE105 people. The creativity and passion shown and switching people on to the crisis our planning for some future events taking by these people is an endless source of oceans face and the need for change. I place across the region. inspiration and something that keeps me have seen a huge increase in the amount motivated and excited for the future. of people looking to get involved. Wirral Q: What can locals do to get involved? has lots of community involvement and A: There are so many opportunities for Q: Tell us a bit about your relationship individuals taking their own action. I’m people to get involved locally - there will with the ocean/coast. working to negotiate and develop better always be something going on that you A: I grew up in Liverpool which was not working relationships with all of the can get involved in. Get in touch with SAS known for its clean bathing waters. There community groups of Wirral to ensure and find out who your local rep is and drop were not many opportunities to experience that people have the right information them a line to see what they have going on. the coastline or nature in the beautiful and are able to feel empowered and ready pristine way it should have been. You to tackle the fight against plastic. were more likely to see one of the famous ‘Mersey Burgers’ (a turd) floating down the Q: What are the main issues that your river than to ever have come face-to-face area is facing at the moment? Name: Paddy Rogers with any kind of wild experience. A: Wirral was battered over the winter Role: North West Regional Rep I was always fascinated by the ocean with storms that brought a lot of litter Volunteering with SAS: 3 years and, in particular, by surfing. The thought to the beaches. Hopefully we will get of riding perfect waves in some idyllic some good weather this summer and the tropical island has always been a dream beaches will be busy. of mine. As a child I could not have been further away from that dream. 66 Sponsors
We would like to thank all of those partnership organisations that currently support our project work.
SAS supporters
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plus hundreds more across twelve stages Surf WORLD SURF LEAGUE COMPETITIONS
PROUDLY SUPPORTED QUIKSILVER OPEN • ROXY OPEN • MEN’S LONGBOARD • WOMEN’S LONGBOARD RIDING WAVES TOGETHER SINCE 2001 FOR OVER 30 YEARS Beyond The Line Up BEACH SESSIONS • AFTER PARTIES • SURF VILLAGE • CORNISH MARKET • BEACH BAR • SURF LESSONS • WELLBEING AREA • CORNISH LESSONS ON-SITE ECO SPA • CLOUD NINE GLAMPING • WILD OYSTER RESTAURANT • ACOUSTIC CAMPFIRE SESSIONS SAS Partners
If your company would like to support our work protecting the UK’s oceans and beaches, please contact Pete Lewis on [email protected] to discuss opportunities. In Partnership With Supported by
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