Healthy oceans start on the shoreline

Each tide brings a wave of plastic pollution to our shores. It’s easy to feel helpless, but together, we can make a difference. That’s why Project Planet Earth hosts regular beach cleans along Dorset coastlines, helping to protect marine life and keep beaches looking beautiful.

Behind every clean-up is a passionate team who care deeply about the coast they call home. Each member plays a part, heading out in their spare time to pick up rubbish whenever they spot it, whether on a walk or a weekend by the sea. Oly leads by example, often spending hours along Chapman’s Pool, Dorset, collecting litter left behind or washed ashore with the tide, a reminder of how small, consistent actions can make a big difference.

With every beach clean, the team rolls up their sleeves and takes action, removing litter, sorting it, and recycling what they can. Some of the plastic they collect is given a second life, turned into coasters, swim paddles, plastic rings, and keyrings instead of polluting the seas.

Regular beach cleans along the South Coast are essential because not everything they find can be recycled. Items like fishing crates, old nets, crabbing lines, and buoys quickly break down into harmful microplastics if left on the shore. Removing them in time helps prevent long-term damage to marine life and the wider ecosystem.