Current News and Events
Making Waves: How the SIF Marine Litter Working Group is Protecting Scotland's Islands
This Volunteers’ Week, we are shining a spotlight on our incredible volunteers and their groups of litter-pickers who are making a tangible difference to our local environment and community; showing that they truly love where they live.
Next up is the Scottish Islands Federation Marine Litter Working Group (MLWG). This dedicated group of volunteers are making a tangible difference in safeguarding the pristine beauty of Scotland's island communities from the pervasive threat of marine litter. They are affiliated to our Ocean Recovery Project (ORP) whose aim is empower beach cleans, increase recycling rates and develop new techniques for recycling ‘hard to recycle’ plastics.
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This year alone, the group estimate that approximately 7 tonnes of beach litter were removed during the cleans that contributed to the recycling uplift! Even more impressively, the Ocean Recovery Project was able to deliver 690kg of rigid plastics and fishing net to recycling facilities at MYGroup and Milspeed. This is a truly fantastic achievement by all who contributed, demonstrating the power of partnership and dedication in creating a more sustainable future for Scotland's beautiful islands. It also wouldn’t be made possible without the dedicated individuals and volunteer from local organisations who contribute to the group’s efforts. This Volunteer Celebration week, we’re proud to be able to spotlight the important work of the Scottish Islands Federations – Marine Litter Working Group
Documentary: Shaping our Shores
Delighted to share that Shaping Our Shores is now publicly available for everyone to watch via the link below.
Presented by Shian Denovan and filmed across Scotland, Shaping Our Shores is a powerful and thought-provoking documentary that delves into the devastating impact of marine plastics on our ecosystems, wildlife, and coastal communities.
Created in collaboration with EssBeeFlix Studios and Caledonian Horticulture, this eye-opening film follows the journeys of passionate individuals and organisations dedicated to tackling pollution and restoring Scotland's shorelines.
Through compelling personal stories and breathtaking views, Shaping Our Shores captures the urgent need for action while celebrating the resilience and determination of those working to protect our marine environment for future generations.
Further information, the Q&A from the premier, additional interviews and more are available on the dedicated webpage:
https://caledonianhorticulture.co.uk/shapingourshores/
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Big Blue Bag presented to Clean Coast Outer Hebrides
On Monday 14th April 2025, Clean Coast Outer Hebrides CCOH had an event at Garry Beach, Isle of Lewis in association with Hurtigruten Expeditions HX. As well as a beach clean, scientific experiments were carried out using a Big Blue Bag. This initiative delivers more scientific information as it has the equipment to discover the degree of microplastics, measure sea temperature, and assess wildlife as well as holding a beach clean.
The image shows Gebhard Reiner the CEO of HX presenting a Big Blue Bag to Janet Marshall, Founder and Chair of CCOH, with Monty Halls, broadcaster and expedition leader.
Monty Halls measuring the degree of microplastic on the shore with one of the younger volunteers. This was filmed by BBC Scotland and shown that evening both on the BBC Scotland evening news, and a Gaelic interview was shown on BBC Alba later in the evening.
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The Big Blue Bag initiative is being rolled out initially around the Scottish islands, with 70 bags being given to relevant community groups.
