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2 minute beach clean

There are #2minutebeachclean stations placed around the main beaches across the Dover District which encourage beach users to spare two minutes to carry out a beach clean. Each board includes all the information and equipment you will need – including litter pickers and plastic bags.

The #2minutebeachclean initiative has been running since 2014 and has proved popular around the globe. The initiative was set up to help beach users understand the impact that their actions have on the environment and wildlife. It doesn’t matter how much litter you are able to pick up, every bit can make a difference.

You can find out more about the scheme by visiting www.beachclean.net

The current locations of our stations are:

  • Quayside walk, Sandwich (near Sandwich Medieval Centre)
  • The Sea Café, Walmer Green, Walmer (outside the cafe)
  • Kingsdown seafront (near the Zetland Arms public House)
  • St Margaret’s Bay (near The Coastguard, Bay Hill)
  • Dover Sea Sports Centre, Esplanade, Dover (near the beach)

 Beach Clean

Guidance to users of equipment:

 Please feel free to use our new 2-minute beach clean set. The 2 minute beach clean set allows you to borrow a picker and a bag to conduct your very own litter pick.

Do’s:

  • Please feel free to use the litter pick and bag to collect small items of litter for example plastic bottles, metal cans, beer bottles, face masks, etc to help keep our beaches clean.
  • Please sanitise your hands before and after using the equipment, with the hand sanitiser on the A-frame.
  • Once you have collected some litter, please empty the contents of the bag into a nearby litter bin. Once the bag is emptied please place the litter pick and bag back to the station.
  • If you can, wear protective gloves or use a litter picker. If you can’t, wash your hands afterwards.
  • Supervise your children and make sure they don’t pick up sharps, dog fouling or dead animals.
  • If you find ordnance (old shells or bullets) call the Coastguard.
    In the UK this is on 999.
  • Dress properly for the weather and conditions and wear appropriate footwear.
  • Be careful over wet rocks. Walk on the barnacles as they give better grip.
  • Be careful under overhanging cliffs or below unstable areas and be VERY wary of landslips and cliff falls, especially after heavy rain.
  • We are hugely thankful for all residents who do take part.
  • Please be mindful of the amount of time you are using the litter pick for as other helpful residents may also want to join in on the fun.

Don’ts:

  • Please refrain from picking up any items that appear hazardous or to big to clear, including any deceased marine animals. Please report these issues to us at https://collections.dover.gov.uk/street and we can ask our contractors to clear this safely.
  • Please watch for high tides when litter picking and do not try to litter pick if the tide is high. Please report these issues to us at https://collections.dover.gov.uk/street and we can ask our contractors to clear this safely.
  • Please avoid collecting litter from within the sea or picking at the waters edge.
  • If you find what you suspect to be dangerous chemicals or substances, leave them alone. Please report these issues to us at https://collections.dover.gov.uk/street and we can ask our contractors to clear this safely.
  • Please do not try to hand pick any sharp or broken objects including syringes or broken glass that will cause harm to yourself. Please report these issues to us at https://collections.dover.gov.uk/street and we can ask our contractors to clear this safely.
  • Please do not try to clear any hot or dangerous items such as barbecues and barbecue coals. Please report these issues to us at https://collections.dover.gov.uk/street and we can ask our contractors to clear this safely.
  • Please do not try to clear any dog’s mess with the litter pick and bag provided. Please report these issues to us at https://collections.dover.gov.uk/street and we can ask our contractors to clear this safely.
  • Please do not attempt to clear from uneven or unsafe ground such as rock beds or cliffs. Please report these issues to us at https://collections.dover.gov.uk/street and we can ask our contractors to clear this safely.