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Beachy Head and Seven Sisters extreme plastic objects removal

BHASSEXPLORE is a non-government organization that stands for Beachy Head and Seven Sister's plastic removal. The organization was founded by Norman Penney 13 months ago in 2020. The organization works mainly to clear up the fishing plastic nets gathered around the coastlines between Eastbourne and the Cuckmere Haven.

The selected region for plastic removal is of scenic beauty, along with many coastal species that exist in the place. Over the last 50 years, a large amount of all variety of plastic has been washed away into the marine life, which is now taking shelter amid cliff bases and remote coves. 

The organization's strength is its volunteers, these collective individuals bring in the different skills to solve this specific problem of removing plastic. 

The volunteers have removed the plastic and other rubbish materials from the coastline which is as old as 50 years. 

There are various challenges faced by the volunteers as they have to work under harsh weather conditions, there is the danger of cliff falls. They have to work under uneven terrains and storms. Norman stated that, ‘’to counter unexpected weather conditions the groups are informed in advance about the high tides and extreme cold’’. 

Bhassexplore allows anyone in the coastal region only if wearing grippy footwear. The groups should pay full attention to the time and range of high tides.

Norman stated that ‘’we are on our own, not getting any help from the council neither we ask for it, as it includes lots of red-tapisms. We rely on other people who donate us material and monetary benefits. 

The majority of the rubbish collected by the groups is the remains of the fishing industry such as nets, ropes, and other equipment. These materials are responsible for damaging the natural ecosystem of the ocean and land as it enters the food chain when the marine creatures eat it. 

Ever since the inception of Bhassexplore, the volunteers have gathered seven tons of waste. The left-over plastic nets are pushed towards the cliff bases by the tides and hence it is responsible for damaging the environment and wildlife for 100s of years because of its nondegradable quality. 

According to Norman, ‘’ he has traveled all around the coastlines while clearing up the mess. All the coastlines are full of rubbish and need to be cleared. Hence, Bhassexplore has divided the task into stages. Four phases have already been covered which involved clearing up of Cows Gaps, the lighthouse at Beachy Head, and Cuckmere Heaven beaches. 

Currently, the volunteers are working for phase five which includes advertising about plastic cleanliness and gathering more support for the cause. 

Norman’s three years mission will end in 2022 when he leaves Bhassexplore and continue the journey somewhere else to clear the beach. So, the main focus is to clean as much as possible by 2022. 

The collected litter is given to the council for recycling or artists use it sometimes to make sculptures. 

#Greensockmovement also launched by Bhassexplore to motivate people all around the world to share their good environmental deeds- all while wearing green socks. People from different parts of the world have joined #greensockmovement, they share their good environmental deeds on any of the social media platforms while wearing green socks. ‘’Green socks are symbolic to protect the environment’’, says Norman. 

Be a #GreenSockMovement Hero

Contribute your bit for nature whilst wearing green socks!

Share your good environmental good deeds, devote some time, labor, and skills for cleaning the environment from anywhere in the world share it on social media platforms while wearing green socks. The event takes place on June 21st during the summer solstice. 

​In order to engage more and more volunteers, Bhassexplore makes the event interesting. They organize a beach picnic, sometimes they organize night stay in the camps. Most of the events take place on weekends so that more and more people can be enlightened and engaged in the cause. 

To tag Bhassexplore: @bhassexplore using #greensockmovement on the socials. You can also send your pics by email to bhassexplore@gmail.com to add to our #greensockmovement hall of fame!

Bhassexplore Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bhassexplore/

Bhassexplore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhass_explore/ 

Anyone wanting to get involved or keep up with BHASSEXPLORE can do so at https://www.bhassexplore.com

Interview:

Norman Penney (Founder Bhassexplore) – About the Beachy Head and Seven Sisters extreme plastic objects removal