• Understanding Diverse Approaches to Marine Litter Reuse

The three speakers outlined their diverse approaches to marine litter, between them detailing how they galvanise community efforts to clean beaches and promote reuse/recycling; how a common beach litter item (rope) can be repurposed into a practical product (beautiful floor mats); and diverse examples of how art work created using marine litter is a powerful way of raising awareness of the challenges posed by marine litter.

• Exploring Collaboration Models

One speaker gave useful insight into the collaborative linkages amongst a network of creatives and beach cleaners on the southwest coast of England that we hope to emulate in Scotland, whilst attendees were encouraged to make collaborative links with each other such as offering help on beach cleans, offering to save specific types of litter that could be used by others, and offers of holding workshops detailing how certain types of litter can be repurposed.

• Fostering a Collaborative Network

Opportunities for discussion allowed attendees to learn from each other’s experiences and identify opportunities for collaboration. A contact list indicating the types of collaboration that people are seeking/can offer was established and distributed to attendees. A mailing list has also been created of those wishing to be kept abreast of further events/collaborative opportunities.

In addition to the more detailed accounts from our three speakers, the discussion section of the event allowed attendees to learn from each other’s shared experiences – outlining the problems they are experiencing with marine litter in their areas, tips on overcoming some of the hurdles, practical advice, sources for further information, and suggestions for collaborative action etc.

There were also numerous suggestions for what the nascent network might do collaboratively, eg a national story gathering collective with groups feeding back on ideas of objects found on the beaches; production of a collection of postcards of marine litter artwork; collaborative beach cleans; a collective art work eg each individual/group making a fish as part of a shoal; creation of a directory of plastic recycling artists.

Learning Outcomes

• Fostering a Collaborative Network
Participants will be able to actively engage in discussions, identifying shared goals and opportunities for forming a sustainable network that connects beach cleaners with artisans to enhance the impact of marine litter reuse projects

• Exploring Collaboration Models
Participants will learn about successful collaborations between beach cleaners, artists, and artisans, understanding how partnerships can be formed and maintained to transform marine litter into valuable artistic or functional materials

• Understanding Diverse Approaches to Marine Litter Reuse
Participants will gain insight into innovative ways marine litter has been reused, recycled, or repurposed through case studies shared by presenters, fostering awareness of the creative and practical potential of marine debris

"One of the key benefits of the event was the opportunity to bring together individuals who often work in isolation, providing a vital morale boost through shared goals and collaboration, reinforcing the sense of collective purpose and demonstrating that, together, we are making a real difference. The exchange of experiences, challenges, and successes highlighted the strength of our collective efforts, inspiring continued action and resilience."