THE SEED OF THE IDEA CAME FROM A LONDON BEACH CLEAN-UP FOR WORLD RIVERS DAY

My first thought was “Beach? In London?” but if you didn’t know, parts of the River Thames have a huge foreshore at low tides. I was expecting to find the obvious washed-up offenders like plastic bottles, bags, and crisp packets, but when we arrived at the beach my first thought was that I couldn’t spot much. I quickly found once you get your eyes tuned for micro plastics (less than 5mm in length), you just keep seeing more and more. I spotted a few sequins and buttons which were quite sweet, and I remember stashing a few pieces in my pocket.

I think like a lot of people in lockdown, I felt a bit spare and isolated, so I started doing more beach cleans and making them into punny cards to cheer up some friends and neighbours. So, I figured I may as well start selling these on Etsy to see if anyone wants them – and then it just built quite naturally!

A REWARDING PART OF THE BUSINESS IS SEEING THE RIPPLE EFFECT

It goes without saying that I love hearing when a customer enjoyed their cards, but something really rewarding was when word started to spread, people were interested in what I was doing and wanted to help. There were a few standout customers who had messaged to say they’d ordered their own litter pickers, and another person from Miami who started their own beach cleaning group after seeing my cards. It was so satisfying that so many people were keen to get involved, and that’s why I started running the group beach cleans.

I think something which is understated is that acts like this also make you feel good. I love that when someone receives a Washed Up Card, hopefully, they get a smile out of the pun and message inside. But the double feel-good factor is the fact it’s removing plastic from somewhere it could harm wildlife. It’s a win-win.

ONE OF MY MUM’S FAVOURITE MOTTO’S IS THAT BOREDOM BREEDS CREATIVITY (ORIGINALLY ROBERT M. PIRSIG).

My mum always points out that when her grandchildren visit (my nieces and nephews), whenever they get bored, they make a game. I know I’m often guilty of this, but in the same situation, we go on our phones to distract ourselves. We don’t take the time to look up at the sky or appreciate our surroundings. We’re living in such a digital world but I’m very old fashioned and I find it refreshing getting something through the post that I can touch and feel.

PLASTIC PIECES WHICH ARE TOO SMALL TO BE RECYCLED ARE THE WORST CULPRITS

It does vary, but cable ties are a real offender, we found around 100 cable ties in an hour in a recent beach clean. Common culprits are pieces which are flushed into our drains and can’t biodegrade, like plastic tampon applicators, cotton wool buds, wet wipes. Other common culprits are usually from the road, like car and bike lights, rope, bottle caps, and clothing items like buttons and sequins. But a lot of it is unidentifiable.

WE NEED TO MAKE SUSTAINABILITY EASIER FROM THE TOP

It’s amazing that people are finding solutions, like Rubies have their refillable stations, and loads of people are using reusables to reduce consumption. But we do need help from the top, and I think larger companies should take some of the slack, starting with cutting the production of virgin plastic. And, ideally to have a circular economy business. It’s crazy that large brands who can afford and would benefit from a plastic deposit return scheme aren’t helping out.

SHOPPING PLASTIC FREE IS A BIT OF EFFORT, BUT IT SLOWS ME DOWN

I don’t shop completely plastic free, but the times when I do try to cut my plastic consumption, I feel really great about it. I think it’s because it forces you to slow down when shopping , and that gives me a real boost. I won’t just grab hummus off the shelf, I’ll take time and make it myself, so I’ll enjoy it more. And little things, like I now know about my lovely local grocer. That doesn’t happen in a supermarket, and I think it’s really good for us.