The Marine Conservation Society's Great British Beach Clean is a survey as much as a clean: volunteers record every item on a 100-metre stretch, and the resulting data has underpinned the UK bag charge, microbead ban and deposit return scheme. Beach cleans run year-round through the Find a Beach Clean page.
Honest caveat: mcsuk.org blocked our automated check on 23 September 2026 and the charity numbers (1004005 England and Wales, SC037480 Scotland) come from prior knowledge, so confirm on the Charity Commission register before donating.
How to start: mcsuk.org/what-you-can-do/beach-clean/find-beach-clean/