Environmental group leads Lowestoft beach clean in effort to eliminate plastic pollution

Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman Archant

A group of like-minded people gathered in Lowestoft to try and rid the town’s beach of plastic pollution.

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Stacey Foulger (right) with her son Leo (front), Rhys Bolton (left) and Lucy Ellis at the Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman Stacey Foulger (right) with her son Leo (front), Rhys Bolton (left) and Lucy Ellis at the Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman

Pure Clean Earth, which was founded earlier this year by Attleborough-born Daniel Reynolds, held a ‘Trashology’ Clean-up as it looks to unite those determined to halt the scourge of harmful plastics and waste.

With emphasis placed on having fun while trying to make the world a better place, participants were in high spirits as they walked along the beach on Saturday afternoon from Royal Green towards Pakefield.

Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman

Stacey Foulger, from Lowestoft, decided to join in with the clean-up after persuasion from her son, Leo, and emphasised the importance of getting youngsters involved in such activities.

She said: “I’ve taken part in the Adnams beach clean in Southwold and Kessingland, and some of the things you find are crazy.

Duncan Thorn, from Oulton Broad, took part in Pure Clean Earth's Trashology beach clean-up with his daughters Tia (left) and Cerys. Picture: Thomas Chapman Duncan Thorn, from Oulton Broad, took part in Pure Clean Earth's Trashology beach clean-up with his daughters Tia (left) and Cerys. Picture: Thomas Chapman

“Leo’s only seven-years-old and he’s already being taught about looking after the environment in school. He came home the other day and said ‘mum, we have to go down to the beach and do something!’

“Young people are the ones that are actually going to have the power in years to come and make a difference.”

Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman

Among the other Trashology participants were Duncan Thorn and his daughters, Tia and Cerys, from Oulton Broad.

“This was all Tia’s idea to come down,” said Mr Thorn. “She’s been looking at the environment at school and even went down to London for an environmental court case as part of her school work.”

Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman

Tia added: “We’ve found lots of plastic bags and if they get in the sea it’s very dangerous for the animals,” added Tia. “This is the first beach litter pick I’ve done but I’d like to do more in the future.”

As is the case at all of Pure Clean Earth’s activities, the collected rubbish was tipped into a pile at the end of the clean-up before being sorted into different categories.

Pure Clean Earth founder Dan Reynolds. Picture: Thomas Chapman Pure Clean Earth founder Dan Reynolds. Picture: Thomas Chapman

The intention of the ritual is to understand the scale of the litter problem and understand where different rubbish originates.

Mr Reynolds, 25, highlighted the importance of education and awareness when it comes to protecting our surroundings.

Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman Pure Clean Earth held a Trashology beach clean-up in Lowestoft. Picture: Thomas Chapman

“Trashology is the study of waste and the effect it has on the environment,” he said. “We’re determined to involve as many people as possible to first of all make them aware of the problem, and then act on the problem to prevent pollution and find solutions.”