Triple reasons to celebrate for a favourite North East beach

As Tynemouth’s Longsands beach celebrates achieving both the international Blue Flag and Seaside Awards, the town has triple reasons to celebrate. Earlier in the year, this North East town was also awarded ‘Plastic Free Coastline’ status, from environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage, becoming only the second English town to achieve this award.

Local volunteers helped persuade many of Tynemouth’s traders to swap throwaway plastic items for reusable or biodegradable alternatives. Businesses pledged to switch at least three things - like cups, bottles, containers, cutlery, straws, stirrers, sachets and packaging. Other activities included regular beach cleans and enlisting the support of local councillors and the town’s MP.

And nearby Whitley Bay, also achieving both Seaside Award and Blue Flag this year, is hoping to join its neighbour, with a group of residents helping the area and it’s businesses become ‘plastic free’.

How can you become more ‘plastic free’ too ...

•             Support businesses or places that are trying to cut their plastics or display the ‘Plastic Free Coastline’ logo

•             Cut your own plastics – there are simple changes we can all make – things like carrying reusable bottles, thinking about packaging as we shop, or saying no to straws

•             Pick up some plastics – not from the shops, but littered plastics you see. Just a couple of pieces a day will make a massive difference, or you can join an organised litter pick near you.