Scottish Coastal Clean Up
Project Background
Scottish Coastal Clean Up is a large-scale environmental initiative focused on removing marine litter from Scotland’s most polluted and inaccessible coastlines. Using our specialist landing craft type boat, and quad bike we reach remote hotspots that are often overlooked due to their location and logistical challenges. Our clean-up events are intensive, high-impact operations supported by volunteers, specialist equipment, and community collaboration.
We also work to prevent marine litter at its source through education, outreach, and public engagement. By building awareness and encouraging stewardship, we aim not only to clean up the coast but to change behaviours and protect it long-term.
Project Need
Marine plastic pollution is a growing environmental crisis along Scotland’s coastlines. Abandoned fishing gear, consumer plastics, and microplastics are harming wildlife, damaging sensitive ecosystems, and undermining local livelihoods through negative impacts on tourism and recreation. Coastal communities often lack the resources or capacity to deal with persistent marine litter, especially in remote or hard-to-reach locations where pollution accumulates for years.
At the same time, awareness of marine issues, especially among younger generations, remains uneven, and there are limited opportunities for people to take meaningful, hands-on action. Scottish Coastal Clean Up was created to address both the environmental challenge and the disconnect between people and place.
Project Details
Coast
Scotland’s East and West Coasts
Dedicated to the removal of plastic polution and marine litter, community engagement and coastal conservation
2023
Project Description
The Scottish Coastal Clean Up tackles marine litter at scale, focusing on the worst-affected and hardest to reach areas of Scotland’s coastline. Unlike many beach clean initiatives, we use a fleet of landing craft, large vessels, and quad bikes to access remote pollution hotspots that are otherwise inaccessible. Communities across Scotland help identify these sites, and we coordinate intensive weekend clean-up efforts to remove the most severe accumulations of marine waste.
This large-scale model allows us to make a meaningful impact in places where litter has built up for years. But we’re also working to stop the problem at its source.
Through hands-on workshops, school visits, and community events, we engage young people and the wider public in marine conservation. By building awareness and encouraging lasting stewardship, we aim not just to clean beaches – but to protect them for the future.
Project Impact
To date the project has removed over 65 tonnes of marine pollution. This work has played a key role in improving coastal habitats, reducing threats to wildlife and supporting the recovery of natural ecosystems.
- Over 65 tonnes of marine plastic pollution removed
- 7 remote west coast islands visited
- 21 three day beach cleans delivered
- 39 events delivered
- 500 school pupils engaged with
- 200 plus volunteers engaged with
- 2000 plus volunteer hours
- 35 organisations collaborated with
With over 11,000 miles of coastline, our work continues with our sponsors, volunteers and community groups.
60 tonnes of marine plastics removed
21 three day beach cleans delivered
7 remote west coast islands visited
39 events delivered
500 school pupils engaged with
200 plus volunteers engaged with
2000 plus volunteers hours
35 organisations collaborated with
Project Supporters and Sponsors
Shaping our Shores – A Coastal Cleanup Documentary
Presented by Shian Denovan
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