Porthcothan Bay’s new beach cleaning station started as landfill

The kit hanging on the wall at Porthcothan Bay Stores this week had a previous life. Before it became a row of litter pickers and reusable bags waiting for the next passer-by, the material it is built from was headed for the tip.

A cleaning station rescued from waste

Beach Guardian has installed a new Re:station at Porthcothan Bay, the latest design from the 2 Minute Foundation. It is made from repurposed materials diverted from landfill, is fully recyclable at the end of its life, and was built to use as little energy as possible during manufacturing.

The idea is simple. Borrow a picker and a bag, clean up as you walk, recycle what you can, bin the rest, and return the kit for the next person. A #2minutebeachclean is meant to fit around a normal trip to the beach rather than replace it.

📷Credit: Beach Guardian

Funded by a vodka, hosted by the shop

The station was funded by Connie Glaze Vodka, paying for the equipment so visitors to Porthcothan can use it for free.

Barney from Porthcothan Bay Stores handled this morning’s installation and is hosting the station at the shop. It arrived stocked and ready, with litter pickers and reusable beach cleaning bags already clipped into place.

Beach Guardian’s own bags

Look closely and there is a smaller change worth noticing. Beach Guardian is now making its own beach cleaning bags, sewn by Tommy at the Sewing Machine Specialist.

The bags have loops in the corners, so Beach Guardian has fitted detachable carabiners that clip straight back onto the station after use. The other local stations are next in line for the same upgrade, to be done as soon as the team can get to them.

📷Credit: Beach Guardian

📷Credit: Beach Guardian

📷Credit: Beach Guardian