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The Conversation
The Conversation
Environment
Kayleigh Wyles, Associate Professor in Environmental Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Plymouth

Beach cleans aren’t just good for the sea – they can boost your mental health and encourage better behaviour

Kayleigh Wyles, CC BY-ND

I love exploring the shoreline. I wander along my local Devon beach at least once a week, and my curiosity is naturally pulled to the high water line. I enjoy discovering pretty shells but also the rubbish that the sea has washed in. The colours, shapes and sizes of this human-made waste stand out from the sand and seaweed.

Finding an old 1990s sweet wrapper is not only nostalgic, it’s also a stark reminder that this rubbish doesn’t go away and is an ongoing and growing problem that needs to be addressed. So once I have investigated what it is that’s caught my eye, I add it to my small bag of rubbish to take back to the bin. It feels good and it’s fun.

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