People are starting to take measures into their own hands when it comes to reducing waste and picking up rubbish off our beaches, but there’s still work to be done, and raising awareness is the first step.

Monika Malak, one of the many people that regularly enjoy our beaches, was especially dismayed when her Sunday stroll along Lannacombe Beach on April 22, which also happened to be Earth day, turned merely into a beach clean resulting in three full bags of picked-up rubbish.

She noted that it was “absolutely heartbreaking, so many plastic bottles, cups, toys, etc.” Then adding, “We picked up three bags of rubbish within half hour, but couldn’t stay any longer to finish the job. Lots more to do there.”

The “plastic-free” movement has definitely made a big stride in relaying to the masses as of late, with the UK in the forefront for making the promise to go “plastic straw- and drink stirrer -free” in the future.

As for local matters, it is crucial that we don’t just leave it to the big guys to enforce change. Like Monika, there are many people and local businesses who do their part to keep our beaches, streets and parks clean in their own time.

Modbury celebrated 10 years of being the first ‘plastic bag free’ town in Europe last year, and is coming up on it’s 11th year.

The Unit, a small coffee bar in the South Hams Business Park has a sign encouraging people to borrow one of their ceramic mugs and simply “bring it back next time you pop in!” in order to keep people from using single-use coffee cups.

There are also a number of beach and street cleans coming up, with the next one this weekend in Kingsbridge. “Plastic-Free Kingsbridge” is holding a litter pick on Sunday, April 29, from 9-10am. The public is asked to bring their own bag, and be prepared to take the litter home. (More on the litter pick to come.)