Shocking Haul: 15 Bags of Rubbish and Tyres Pulled from Polkerris Beach

A dedicated group of volunteers from St Austell Tidy Team took on the challenge of cleaning up Polkerris Beach, removing a staggering amount of litter left behind by recent storms.

Huge Effort Despite Overwhelming Waste

The well-attended clean-up saw volunteers collecting over a dozen sacks of rubbish, along with tyres and other large debris washed up on the shore. However, despite their efforts, the team acknowledged that even if they had continued all day, tiny plastic pieces, nurdles, and other microplastics would have remained – a stark reminder of the pollution in our seas.

According to Clean Cornwall, 11 volunteers took part in the event, gathering 15 bags of rubbish, four tyres, and even an old lobster pot. The stormy weather had dredged up a significant amount of waste from the seabed, mixing it with seaweed along the shoreline. Volunteers noted a huge amount of fishing-related litter and plastic, with many pieces too small to collect by hand.

Recognition for Local Volunteers

A special mention was given to Pat, known as Action Nan, for her ongoing work organising litter picks in St Austell, Mevagissey, and Charlestown. Her commitment, along with that of the entire St Austell Tidy Team, highlights the continued need for community-led efforts to tackle beach and street litter in Cornwall.

While the group made a significant dent in the waste washing up on Polkerris Beach, their findings paint a worrying picture of the sheer volume of plastic pollution along our coastline.