Volunteer beach cleaning organisation Beach Buddies has launched a brand new scheme for the Isle of Man which it believes breaks new ground and could make a huge difference to the Island's beaches.

Beach Buddies has acquired a number of large wheelie bins which are to be placed at various beach access points all around the Island. Each bin will be fitted with a bag dispenser and the public will be encouraged to take a bag, fill it with a small amount of rubbish as they walk the beach and then throw it into the bin afterwards.

Founder Bill Dale said, “It means that beaches will be getting cleaned regularly by anyone who uses the beach, and it will become a true all-Island community project in which anyone and everyone can easily take part for the benefit of the environment and our wildlife. Beach Buddies wishes to thank the Department of Infrastructure waste management department for helping to get this scheme off the ground.”

Beach Buddies has acquired the first six bins with support from DoI, but says there are at least another 20 sites at beaches around the Island which need such a facility.

“If the scheme works, it will be expanded to provide the same facility at car parks and access points to glens, footpaths, hill routes and the coastal footpath. This is believed to be the first scheme of its type in Europe, perhaps the world, and with the support of the Manx public, we could eventually be able to throw down a challenge to the world and say that the Isle of Man is more litter-free than anywhere else on the planet. What a brilliant selling-point would that be for tourism!”

He added, “To get this project started, Beach Buddies has put a great deal of effort in the background, but it has reached the point where sponsorship has now become a necessity. We have acquired the first six bins, but many more are needed - and this comes down to the age-old problem of sponsorship.

“To buy the bin, fit a bag dispenser with bags and to keep the dispensers topped-up will take a lot of effort and dedication. 

Sponsorship of each bin gives a sponsor their name and logos in high profile and costs what we believe is a very fair sum of ?1,000 for a very long period of three years, providing a 24-7 all year round positive involvement with a high profile environmental project.”

Photo -  One of the new Beach Buddies bins which will shortly be seen around the Island’s beaches