Beach cleans aren’t just good for the sea – they can boost your mental health and encourage better behaviour

I love exploring the shoreline. I wander along my local Devon beach at least once a week, and my curiosity is naturally pulled to the high water line. I enjoy discovering pretty shells but also the rubbish that the sea has washed in. The colours, shapes and sizes of this human-made waste stand out from the sand and seaweed.

Finding an old 1990s sweet wrapper is not only nostalgic, it’s also a stark reminder that this rubbish doesn’t go away and is an ongoing and growing problem that needs to be addressed. So once I have investigated what it is that’s caught my eye, I add it to my small bag of rubbish to take back to the bin. It feels good and it’s fun.

Removing that litter is not only good for the ocean, but also for me and everyone else who cleans up a beach. My research shows that participating in beach cleans is good for our mental health and encourages people to adopt more environmentally friendly behaviours.