"People must feel that the natural world is important and valuable and beautiful and wonderful and an amazement and a pleasure." — Sir David Attenborough
WINTER AT THE COAST HAS ITS OWN SPECIAL CHARM
In winter, there may be fewer footprints in the sand, the air feels sharper, the sky seems bigger, the sea is raw and powerful, but breathtaking. With darker days and colder weather, winter can be challenging for some people, but it is also a season where small meaningful actions like a #2MinuteBeachClean make a powerful difference. Spending time on our beaches, even briefly, builds a powerful connection that makes caring for them second nature.
WHY THE #2MINUTEBEACHCLEAN MATTERS IN WINTER
The #2MinuteBeachClean campaign is built on simplicity. Take just two minutes to pick up some litter when you are at the beach. When everyone's efforts are added together, all of those minutes add up to cleaner beaches. In winter this matters even more. Storms and high tides batter our beaches leaving a lot of waste washed up. This waste poses multiple hazards for marine flora and fauna.
BLUE SPACES AND MENTAL HEALTH
Spending time on beaches and other blue spaces is proven to support good mental health. The sound of the waves, fresh sea air, and wide horizons can reduce stress and help us feel grounded. In Ireland, open sea swimming and sauna culture has soared in popularity in recent years. Every visit to the beach is a chance to experience it, appreciate it, and to care for it.
MOTIVATION AND PURPOSE
There is something unexpectedly uplifting about a #2MinuteBeachClean that stays with you for much longer! That brief act of care can boost your mood, spark motivation and create a real sense of purpose. Psychologists often call this a "prosocial boost" or a "helper's high." Helping others or the environment makes us feel happier, calmer, and more connected.
CLEAN COASTS COMMUNITY
Clean Coasts now has over 2,500 groups and over 45,000 individual volunteers nationwide. In 2025, a whopping 99 beaches received the Blue Flag Award. The stewardship of Clean Coasts groups including #2MinuteBeachCleaners is fundamental to the Blue Flag Programme.
A SMALL ACT WITH A BIG IMPACT
Winter asks a little more of us. The days are shorter and the weather is less forgiving. A #2MinuteBeachClean is a small act but it carries weight. It is a moment of presence, a gesture of respect and a reminder that caring for a place also means caring for ourselves.