Greener Orkney organises regular beach cleans at sites across Mainland. From May to August we only clean specific areas to avoid disturbing nesting birds.

Why are beach cleans important?

Marine litter and particularly plastic waste like rope fragments can be very harmful to animal life and its removal from the beaches will have a positive impact on this serious problem.

What’s more, many beaches are a valuable public recreation space and visitors’ enjoyment will be enhanced by a clean environment. 

What we do

Greener Orkney organises regular beach cleans and communicates details of these through this website and social media platforms.  All are welcome to particpate.

Greener Orkney has also taken on the lead role in organising “Bag the Bruck”, Orkney’s “spring clean” of beaches.

In October 2024, Greener Orkney was awarded a grant by Marine Fund Scotland to fulfill two paid roles over the winter months to facilitate the collection and analysis of the marine litter on northern Orkney Isles.  This project was completed in March 2025 and the results can be seen here.

We are pleased to work with local organisations and individuals who want to take part in beach cleaning and maintain a stock of litter picking equipment which can be borrowed.

Data gathering and waste collection

Data gathering regarding the volume and composition of waste is hugely important as it helps track litter back to source so assists efforts to find solutions to the problem.  We encourage any person or group willing to “adopt a beach” to submit the findings using this form.

Any items which could have originated from a salmon farm can be reported through this link – reports will be followed up and cleanup action taken where appropriate. 

Greener Orkney also offers beach cleaning equipment to people who do their own beach cleans. If you are interested in helping or need any beach cleaning equipment do join us as a member and contact us on greenerorkney@gmail.com.