13th Annual South Ayrshire Rotary Beach Clean
What a magnificent turnout and performance at the recent Big Rotary Beach Clean, coordinated by Ayr Rotary Club with support from the other clubs of Troon, Prestwick, Alloway and Girvan. This was the biggest one ever and included for the first time the beaches at South Harbour, Ayr and at Curragh, north of Girvan, in addition to those at Troon, Prestwick, Newton, Seafield, Doonfoot, Greenan, Craig Tara, Bracken Bay, Dunure, North Croy, Dowhill, Dipple, Girvan and Ballantrae. More than 15 miles of coastline were tackled by over 300 willing and cheerful volunteers who collected the equivalent of 625 large bags of rubbish and other debris.
The mile-long beach at Curragh generated the largest collection because this had not been cleaned previously. However, the good news is that all other beaches showed a reduction from previous years which suggests that the annual beach clean is making a big impression and a progressively improving situation. Although it was not practical this year to separate plastic litter from other types of marine detritus the proportion of plastic is very high and was last year estimated at 93%. Next year it is hoped that an attempt can be made to segregate the main waste material types as they are collected, which should allow more effective recycling.
Although there is, year-on-year, less large material as the annual clean ups improve the general situation, a dozen or so drums of used engine sump oil dumped at sea were removed. A sizeable number of these drums have been recovered over the past thirteen years, all between Girvan and Heads of Ayr, and these, unfortunately, may be being dumped by local boats. Old vehicle tyres are still regularly recovered, although again significantly fewer than before. 
Several environmentally-conscious farmers and landowners now help with tractors and trailers at this huge annual event. Their contribution is much valued because they convey the filled bags from the beaches to the collection points. South Ayrshire Council do a sterling job lifting them promptly in addition to providing all the necessary bags and ancillary equipment.
Local community groups including Ayrshire Coastal Path volunteers, private companies, scouting troops, cub packs, college teams and many environmentally-conscious individuals all helped to produce another commendable result in enhancing our wonderfully scenic coastline. Everyone is urged to PLEASE KEEP OUR BEACHES CLEAN. Not only will this make everyone’s visit to the beaches more pleasant but it will mean an easier job for the volunteers at next year’s annual clean-up!
