1. General information
2. Objectives of the intervention
Goals of the intervention
M&S Big Beach & Waterway Clean is part of M&S's Plan A (social and environmental commitments which includes 5 pillars: climate change, waste, natural resources, fair partnership, health and wellbeing) and part of M&S Forever Fish campaign (ref. 6)
M&S Beach Clean is a volunteering initiative through which their staff was able to volunteer to clean local beaches and waterways to make local environmental improvements (in the area of The Nottingham & Beeston Canal; which includes a surviving canal that was once part of a much longer route, which is now derelict). (ref. 2, 6)
“The Big Beach Clean Up is a great way to support the community and help safeguard the future of UK fish stocks. Clean waterways and beaches mean clean seas.” (Ref. 8) The aim of the event is to help preserve wildlife at risk from ingesting toxic pollutants in the water (Ref. 3).
M&S Beach Clean is a volunteering initiative through which their staff was able to volunteer to clean local beaches and waterways to make local environmental improvements (in the area of The Nottingham & Beeston Canal; which includes a surviving canal that was once part of a much longer route, which is now derelict). (ref. 2, 6)
“The Big Beach Clean Up is a great way to support the community and help safeguard the future of UK fish stocks. Clean waterways and beaches mean clean seas.” (Ref. 8) The aim of the event is to help preserve wildlife at risk from ingesting toxic pollutants in the water (Ref. 3).
Quantitative targets
The overall project included 42 sites/waterways locations (where the M&S beach clean events took place; from Nottingham & Beeston Canal to the Birmingham Main Line, and the Grand Union Canal in Watford). (Ref. 2)
Monitoring indicators defined
Number of customers at the Beach Clean-Up; number of M&S emplloyees at the beach clean-up; Number of beaches served; number of recyclable bin bags filled
Sustainability challenge(s) addressed
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What types of conservation goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
Habitats and biodiversity conservation: What activities are implemented to realize the conservation goals and targets?
What types of restoration goals are / were defined for the NBS intervention?
What activities are implemented to realize the restoration goals and targets?
Implementation activities
Since the M&S Big Beach Clean-up began in May 2012, over 20,000 people have taken part and 62.5 tonnes of litter – the weight of Challenger 2 tank – has been cleared from canals and beaches until 2015 (ref 3, 5).
The 4th annual Big Beach Clean Up (in 2015) aimed to clean 135 beaches and canals up and down the country with over 8,000 people (3,000 M&S employees and 5,000 M&S customers) (ref. 5). In that year, more than 9000 volunteers picked up litter from over 100 beaches and 50 canals up and down the country. Around 30 members of staff from Nottingham’s local high street store went down to the canal, between Castle Meadow retail park and Meadow Lane Lock, and spent the day removing masses of litter from the water (ref. 3).
The 4th annual Big Beach Clean Up (in 2015) aimed to clean 135 beaches and canals up and down the country with over 8,000 people (3,000 M&S employees and 5,000 M&S customers) (ref. 5). In that year, more than 9000 volunteers picked up litter from over 100 beaches and 50 canals up and down the country. Around 30 members of staff from Nottingham’s local high street store went down to the canal, between Castle Meadow retail park and Meadow Lane Lock, and spent the day removing masses of litter from the water (ref. 3).
3. NBS domains, ES and scale
4. Governance and financing
5. Innovation
Type of innovation
Novelty level of the innovation
Please specify novelty level of the innovation
Unknown
Replicability/Transferability
Please specify Replicability/Transferability
From the Forever Fish Campaign (which M&S beach clean-up is part of): M&S has in 2013 launched a “project with the Blue Marine Foundation at Lyme Bay to explore ways in which M&S can involve more local stakeholders – from fishermen to the English Tourist Board – in running a successful, community-based fishery". (Ref. 9) Further actions have been taken to e.g. clean Meadow Lane Lock (in 2014) with the Marine Conservation Society. (Ref. 5)
6. Evaluation and learning
7. Sources
Please specify other source of non-financial contribution
Employees of M&S
