Volunteer beach cleaning charity Beach Buddies has linked up with SITA, the company which runs the Isle of Man’s Energy From Waste plant, in a programme to help expand the group’s activities around the Island.
SITA has made a donation to Beach Buddies which it says has given the organisation a “significant first stepping stone” towards increasing the work around the Island in the future.
“The timing of this donation could not have been better,” said founder Bill Dale. “We have created a really positive organisation, with fantastic public support, but the expansion of our network has been held back by the simple lack of financial backing.
“This donation from SITA gives us the opportunity to not only increase awareness of what we are trying to do, but also a platform from which we can go forward and do even more in the future, not just on beaches, but anywhere on the Isle of Man with a litter problem.
“Most importantly, this is not just a financial donation. We now have a very positive link with a company with a proven track record of expertise in dealing with waste in an efficient, cost-effective and environmentally friendly way, which fits in perfectly with what Beach Buddies is all about.”
Beach Buddies was approached by SITA when the company’s management saw that the group had been affected by the loss of both their aging vehicle and trailer towards the end of 2013.
A trailer has since been purchased, thanks to a separate donation, but it was recognised by SITA that further financial support was required to help expand the organisation’s work.
SITA’s EFW plant manager Gerrit Du Toit said, “We saw what the volunteers were achieving on virtually no budget, and we wanted to help the organisation move forward, as it’s clear that there is an issue with litter all over the Island, which could be tackled by an organisation such as Beach Buddies.
“SITA felt that it could make a donation which would ease financial pressure and give the organisation a platform on which to build for the long term future.”
The link between Beach Buddies and SITA also gives the volunteers the opportunity to dispose of hazardous materials and chemicals which are occasionally discovered during the beach cleaning sessions.
Large sealed canisters containing mystery chemicals, used oils and potentially harmful unknown liquids are regularly found on beaches around the Island, and the EFW plant has the expertise and facilities to deal with any such items, and will take delivery of these from Beach Buddies in the future.
Formed in 2006, Beach Buddies runs regular weekend beach cleaning sessions with teams of volunteers tackling problem areas all over the Island, and only recently broke the record for the number of bags of rubbish collected in one session when 72 were gathered at Fisher’s Hill, together with an equal volume of fishing gear, plastic barrels, ropes and dozens of damaged lobster pots.
“This doesn’t mean the campaign to raise funds has ended,” Bill Dale added. “The problem of litter and waste in the Isle of Man has never been greater, and there is a huge task ahead to keep on top of the problem. It’s visually obvious to everyone from the impact of recent storms that it’s a huge job, even when an organisation like Beach Buddies does so much and has such brilliant support from so many volunteers.
“However, this problem needs to be tackled in a co-ordinated, efficient and sustainable way, with long-term aims and objectives which can be realistically achieved, but this all depends on having the financial background for this to happen.
“SITA has given us the platform to begin this task. It is a tribute to the company and its management that they recognised our situation and approached us to offer their support. This donation will be used to kick-start the long-term future for Beach Buddies.”
Photo - SITA plant manager Gerrit du Toit and members of staff with their donation to Beach Buddies.
