The team behind the Final Straw Foundation is thrilled to share the achievements and milestones reached in 2023. Established in 2018, the organisation has focussed on trying to remove plastics through beach cleans, and reduce the amount of plastic pollution entering our beautiful harbours and littering the coastline.
Fighting back against plastic pollution over the last year with the unwavering support of the local community our CEO Bianca Carr said, “It brings me immense pride to report that our dedicated team of over 2,000 volunteers successfully cleaned up a staggering 3,600 kilograms of rubbish from our beautiful local beaches. These efforts are not only restoring the pristine beauty of our coastline but also safeguarding the marine life that calls these shores home. This brings our total tally to nearly 45,000 kilograms of waste collected along the Solent coastline by our volunteers since we started the campaign – about the equivalent weight to a humpback whale!”
Empowering the Next Generation
Our commitment to education has been a cornerstone of our mission. This year alone, we conducted assemblies, workshops, and beach school sessions that engaged nearly 3,200 students. Through these fun and informative sessions, we aim to instill a sense of responsibility and awareness about the impact of plastic pollution among the future custodians of our planet.
Plastic-Free Days & Clothing Swap Events
We organised our annual Plastic-Free Day again in 2023, with participation of nearly 10,000 students. This initiative, designed to encourage sustainable practices, was a resounding success in raising awareness about the consequences of single-use plastics.
Furthermore, schools and organisations representing over 53,000 participants took part in our clothing swap events, from Hayling Island to Canada, California, Ireland and Edinburgh! By facilitating the exchange of pre-loved Halloween costumes and Christmas jumpers!
The power of collective action and the positive impact it can have on our environment. It's heartening to see the community's commitment to creating a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future.
As we look forward to some exciting new projects planned including a Plastic Education Station - more about this in the next edition, I wish everyone a very happy New Year.