Taking action to clean local beaches and reduce plastic

From crisp packets to plastic cups, Brighton’s beaches are feeling the difference, with over 270kg of waste collected in 2025 through regular beach cleans.

Since 2019, Leave No Trace Brighton and Sea Lanes Brighton have been working together to protect Brighton & Hove's coastline through monthly beach cleans held throughout spring and summer. 

This year alone, nearly 350 volunteers have collected more than 270kg of waste from the seafront, tackling some of the most common and harmful forms of litter.

Tackling plastic litter on our seafront

The most frequently collected items — known as the “Dirty Dozen” — include:

1. Plastic packets (crisp, sweet, lolly, sandwich): 3,749
2. Paper tissues and napkins: 1,472
3. Plastic fragments (2.5–50cm): 912
4. Aluminium cans: 830
5. Plastic drinks bottles and containers: 782
6. Single-use plastic cups: 532
7. Mixed metal and plastic bottle caps/lids: 518
8. Cigarette butts: 506
9. Small plastic fragments (0–2.5cm): 489
10. Cable ties: 411
11. Paper/card takeaway containers: 388
12. Plastic fishing waste (0–50cm): 376

Sea Lanes Brighton, the UK’s National Open Water Swimming Centre, has also been working with Leave No Trace Brighton to significantly reduce its environmental impact. 

Through a phased, collaborative approach, Sea Lanes has successfully transitioned to being free of non-essential single-use plastics in its food and drink operations.

Our council supports local efforts to reduce plastic waste and protect the city’s blue spaces.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services at Brighton & Hove City Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see Sea Lanes leading the way and supporting other businesses with a practical demonstration of how to reduce single-use plastics for food and drink

“Our own hard-working teams cleared 24 tonnes of rubbish in just 2 weekends this summer and these new figures show the shocking amount of waste, particularly plastic, left or washed up on our beaches in one short summer – harming our precious seafront environment for people and wildlife.

“Collecting litter from the beach is of course only treating the symptoms – far better to remove the sources of this litter in the first place. 

"Last summer, Coral and Sophie from Leave No Trace Brighton and I teamed up to visit every seafront business between the two piers to understand what plastics are in use and what the barriers are to finding alternatives. 

"This initiative from Sea Lanes shows what can be done and can serve as a model for other businesses.”

How Sea Lanes has reduced plastic use

Matthew Jennett, General Manager for Growth and Sustainability at Sea Lanes, said: “Hot drinks are served in reusable Huskee cups, cold drinks in glassware, and food on reusable crockery. 

"Plastic bottles have been replaced by refill stations and canned water, while compostable packaging now replaces the few remaining single-use items. Sustainability is embedded in operations, supported by on-site composting, upgraded bins, and regular vendor audits and training.

“Sea Lanes demonstrates how a coastal, multi-vendor site can balance customer experience, operational feasibility, and environmental responsibility — offering a blueprint for other seafront businesses in Brighton and beyond.”

Coral Evans from Leave No Trace Brighton said: “Partnerships like this show what’s possible when local businesses and communities work together. By combining regular beach cleans with real operational change, we’re creating a culture of environmental responsibility that protects Brighton’s coastline for everyone.”

See how businesses are working to inspire change and watch the Sea Lanes case study on the LEAVENOTRACEBRIGHTON website.

More information

Developing a circular economy, working with partners to re-use resources and reduce waste, is a key objective of our Council Plan, and our goal to create an accessible, clean and sustainable city.

About Leave No Trace Brighton

Leave No Trace Brighton is a community-initiated environmental campaign that promotes responsible rubbish disposal to protect and preserve Brighton & Hove’s coastal and marine environment.

About Sea Lanes Brighton

Sea Lanes Brighton is the UK’s first National Open Water Swimming Centre. At its heart is a 50m, six-lane pool, surrounded by local fitness, wellbeing, food, and beverage businesses.