Recycling Workshop - Saunton Beach Clean with Earth Action North Devon
- Tyrone Probert
- Jan 8
- 3 min read
There’s something powerful about standing on a wide, winter beach with cold air in your lungs, sand under your boots and a shared purpose in mind.
On Sunday 18 January, from 11am-1pm, we’re heading back to Saunton Beach alongside Earth Action North Devon for a beach clean and community event that’s all about action, learning and giving ocean plastic a second life. Aided by North Devon’s Winter Flourishing Culture Grant we are chuffed to be out on the beach at Saunton on Sunday.
Big Saunton Beach Clean
Sunday 18 January 2026
11:00 13:00
Saunton BeachSaunton Road, Braunton, England, EX33 1LQUnited Kingdom (map)
Saunton isn’t just any stretch of sand. It sits within a protected National Landscape, a UNESCO Biosphere and a World Surf Reserve - a place that deserves care, respect and long-term thinking. For us at Ecotribo, that makes it the perfect place to roll up our sleeves and do what we do best.
From Beach to Bench (and Beyond)
This event isn’t just about removing waste - it’s about understanding it. We’ll be bringing along our Injection moulding machine and show you the way we started our Ecotribo process, giving volunteers a hands-on look at how we identify different types of plastic found on the shoreline. You’ll see how everyday fragments - bottle caps, broken crates, mystery shards - are sorted, tested and transformed.
Then comes the good bit: turning recovered beach plastic into recycled carabiners, right there on the sand. It’s a small object, but it tells a much bigger story - that waste isn’t the end of the line, it’s the beginning of something new.
We’ll also be running a few fun challenges, with giveaways for the biggest haul and the strangest find of the day. (You’d be surprised what the sea delivers.)
More Than a Clean
Beach cleans matter, but so does knowledge. Throughout the event, local environmental volunteers will be on hand to help shine a light on the wildlife, ecosystems and subtle rhythms of the beach. The data collected feeds into national marine conservation efforts, helping build a clearer picture of what’s happening along our coastlines.
It’s a reminder that every piece picked up contributes to something bigger - not just a cleaner beach, but better protection for the ocean long-term.
Warm Hands, Good Company
Community makes days like this special. There’ll be free hot drinks available on the beach (bring a reusable cup if you can), all equipment provided, and free parking for volunteers. There’s even a prize draw on the day, because doing good should still be fun.
We’re proud to be part of a wider group of local organisations, businesses and volunteers who care deeply about this place and make these events possible. It’s collaboration like this that creates real momentum.
Why We Do It
Ecotribo was built on the belief that design, manufacturing and environmental action can work together. Beach cleans are where it all starts - face to face with the problem, listening to the stories written into the coast, and proving that change doesn’t have to stay theoretical and there are positive solutions.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens to ocean plastic after it’s collected, or if you simply want to spend a meaningful couple of hours outdoors with good people, we’d love to see you there.
Let’s protect what we love - and turn waste into something positive.
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