Marks & Sparks big clean-up

ONCE again the staff and customers of Marks & Spencer are giving their time in a big clean-up of the beaches and canals.

Yesterday (Tuesday) it announced that its Big Clean Up will include 95 beaches and 45 canals, in conjunction with the Marine Conservation Society and Canal & River Trust, from the 24th to 30th April.

Money-off voucher

The target is to clear more than last year's massive haul of 30 tonnes of litter, with an incentive for customers who volunteer receiving a money-off voucher if they register in advance at www.mcsuk.org/foreverfish.

Most of the litter collected is expected to be common waste items such as fishing nets, ropes and bottles tops. However last year's beach and canal cleaners found an array of unusual items including a bath, coffee maker, HM Prison Service toothbrush and a Freeview box.

Over 9,000 took part

Last year over 9,000 people (4,000 employees and 5,000 customers) volunteered and collected 4,000 bin bags full of litter after cleaning nearly 200 miles of beaches and canals.

Sacha Berendji, Director of Retail at Marks & Spencer, enthused:

"Our Big Beach Clean-up 2013 exceeded all expectations and made a significant impact on local communities. This year our beaches and canals, and in turn our marine life, need us and our army of volunteers more than ever before. It's a fun, outdoor activity and I'm confident we can go one step further and surpass last year's litter haul. And, as an incentive, there's a £5 money-off voucher for every customer that gets involved."

The M&S Big Beach Clean-up is part of M&S' Forever Fish campaign which is funded by the profits from the 5p carrier bag charge in its foodhalls. Since its introduction in 2008, the charge has reduced carrier bag use by 75 per cent and raised over £6 million for good causes.