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Volunteers clean 60kg of waste from beach

Biffa / Mitchells & Butlers Fourteen men and women volunteers in orange hi viz jackets at a beach on a sunny day. They are smiling at the camera. Everyone is holding a collection bag and some are holding litter pickers. The sea could be seen behind them.Biffa / Mitchells & Butlers
Volunteers from Biffa and Mitchells & Butlers collected 60kg of waste at Southbourne beach on 17 July

More than 60kg (9.5st) of waste has been removed from a beach during a big litter pick.

Volunteers from waste management company Biffa and restaurant company Mitchells & Butlers joined forces to do a clean off at Southbourne beach in Bournemouth, Dorset on 17 July.

The results have now come out to show the quantity of collected litter, which included bottles, cans, discarded clothes, and hazardous marine waste such as fishing wire.

A Biffa spokesperson said the event had contributed to the worldwide initiative Plastic Free July.

Biffa / Mitchells & Butlers Volunteer in an orange hi viz Biffa jacket collects litter at a beach on an overcast day. He's facing away from the camera. Other volunteers can be seen ahead in the distance.Biffa / Mitchells & Butlers
Results show dozens of bottles and cans, and even fishing wire have been picket up during the event

It was organised by workers from Biffa’s Poole depot and members of Mitchells & Butlers kitchen development team.

Biffa said that that recyclable waste, including plastic and glass bottles, had been put back into the circular economy to be transformed into new products.

Non-recyclable general waste had been sent to an energy-from-waste facility to be converted into electricity.

Biffa’s head of corporate accounts Mark Chapman, who took part in the litter pick, said they took "great pride" in supporting local sustainability projects.

"We were thrilled to work alongside our customer Mitchells & Butlers for the litter pick at Southbourne beach, helping to ensure our beautiful coastline is protected for everyone’s enjoyment.”

David Gallacher, Mitchells & Butlers divisional director, said their partnership "represents a ground-breaking approach to waste management".

Biffa said that it had helped the company divert "10,500 tonnes of food waste from landfill to energy recovery" since October 2023.

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