On Saturday 25th March between 1pm – 4pm we are inviting members of the public to North Berwick Harbour to the launch of a unique artwork created from marine plastic to raise awareness about plastic pollution and the serious damage it inflicts on our natural environment.
At 8 metres long, the mural is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and makes a powerful statement that seeks to encourage individuals to take action. There will be the chance to speak to the artist involved in creating the mural and interactive activities for children from The Scottish Coastal Clean Up.
Accompanying the mural is a photography exhibition documenting the 100 beach cleans that collected the plastic and the creation of the mural. The exhibition will be free to view during the event on the 25th, but will be on display for around 3 months as part of the Seabird Centres Discovery Experience if you wish to visit at a later date.
The artwork was the idea of Jerba Campervans and Caledonian Horticulture, who in partnership with the North Berwick Harbour Trust, commissioned an award-winning local artist Julie Barnes to create a unique, colourful mural made entirely from plastic recovered from a local beach. During the Covid lockdown, East Lothian local Elizabeth Vischer set herself the challenge to complete 100 beach cleans. Over the picks off a 200m stretch at Longniddry Bents no.3. she collected 26,513 pieces of plastic, around half of which have been used in the mural.
Located at North Berwick Harbour, close to the Bass Rock, the mural will stand as a daily reminder of the pollution in our local seas.
If you’d like to try and help with the issue of marine plastic there are some easy things you can do:
- Pick Up 5! Every time you visit the beach (or go on any walk), why not challenge yourself to take 5 pieces of litter home with you. If everybody did this, it would soon have a big impact.
- Don’t flush anything other than toilet paper down the toilet, particularly wet wipes and sanitary items as these often end up in the sea.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle. There is a reason reduce is listed first, it is the most important step in helping avoid marine plastic. Carry a reusable bag with you, choose loose fruit and veg, think before using helium balloons and disposable bbqs, take a refillable bottle with you. All these actions will help reduce the amount of litter on our beaches and in our seas.
To get involved in future beach cleans visit www.scottishcoastalcleanup.co.uk.