National Trust Thanks Volunteers and Visitors for Helping Keep Formby Clean

2 days ago
3 min read

The National Trust has issued a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has given their time to help clear the huge amounts of litter left behind following the recent half term heatwave.

Like many popular coastal destinations, Formby welcomed large numbers of visitors during the warm weather, and with that came a significant challenge in managing litter across the site. National Trust staff, volunteers, community litter picking groups and local organisations have all played their part in helping to keep the coastline clean and protect its unique wildlife.

The Trust is often asked why there are no bins on the beach. They explain that Formby has one of the largest tidal ranges in the UK, with the sea regularly reaching the dunes. As a result, bins and signs placed on the beach can quickly become damaged, washed away or overwhelmed during busy periods.

To tackle the issue, the National Trust provides 14 large industrial bins across its car parks, supported by more frequent collections from Sefton Council. Additional seasonal staff carry out daily litter picks, while all site staff help clear hotspots after particularly busy days.

The Trust also works closely with local volunteer groups, supplying bin bags, providing collection points and supporting organised litter picks throughout the summer months.

Looking ahead, the National Trust plans to introduce further awareness campaigns about the impact of litter and fires, along with new signage encouraging responsible disposal of waste and dog waste.

In their message, the Trust thanked everyone who takes their rubbish home or uses the facilities provided, adding that by working together we can help keep Formby special for both people and wildlife for years to come.

This is the message from National Trust

National Trust Formby:

𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐚 𝐌𝐀𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐠𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐠𝐞 𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐞𝐟𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐯𝐞.

Like many coastal and countryside places, we provide large industrial bins in our car parks, where they’re easy for everyone to access and can be safely emptied without impacting sensitive conservation areas.

𝐖𝐞’𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨 𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡...

With one of the UK’s largest tidal ranges, the sea often reaches the dunes. Unfortunately, signs and bins don’t last long and can be quickly overwhelmed on busy days.

Sadly, much of the litter we find is individual pieces left behind on the beach - so after busy periods, we prioritise clearing this before it’s carried out to sea.

𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐛𝐲 𝐝𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬:

✅14 large 1100 litre bins (7 in each car park).

✅ More frequent Sefton Council bin collections (3 times a week).

✅ Extra seasonal staff dedicated to daily litter picking across site.

✅ All staff litter picks in hotspots after busy sunny days.

✅ Daily checks and collection of bagged litter across the site.

✅ Details of bin facilities on our website, social media and large map signs on site.

✅ “Love it here, don’t leave it here” signs in litter hotspots.

✅ Local corporate volunteer litter picking groups every Monday until September.

✅ Support for local community litter picking groups including:

- Supplying bin bags

- Filled bag drop off / collection points