British Energy News
EDF Energy staff give up a day to spruce up the sea shore
28th July 2010
Volunteers from EDF Energy in Worthing will be rolling up their sleeves to clean up litter from a Sussex beach.
The 13 EDF Energy staff will be spending the day on Southwick beach, removing rubbish and other debris while recording the results of their labours for the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).
As well as sprucing up the beach, the survey results will help the society compile reports to raise awareness of how much waste is left on the coast or deposited by sea traffic.
Southwick beach is one of three in Britain adopted by EDF Energy which regularly sends out teams of volunteers on clean-ups and surveys.
The volunteers, who all work in customer services in Worthing, are carrying out the work as part of EDF Energy’s Helping Hands programme which encourages employees to spend two days a year helping local community organisations.
Helping Hands organiser Kelly Nottage said: “We wanted to do something with an environmental theme and cleaning up a local beach seemed the best way to do it.
“The company has adopted Southwick beach so we decided it would be a great way to use one of our Helping Hands days.â€
Dr Sue Kinsey, of the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), said: “We’re really grateful to volunteer groups like those from EDF Energy. Only with their data can we lobby Government and industry to start taking measures to turn the tide on litter and begin to reduce the amount of marine and beach rubbish. These events are also great to raise public awareness of the problems of litter on our beaches and encourage them to make small changes too.â€
MCS is the UK charity dedicated to the protection of our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, protection of marine life and their habitats, and the sensitive use of our marine resources for future generations.
The reports MCS produce, with the help of volunteers like those from EDF Energy, can help the MCS approach local communities to tackle reducing specific waste through education and advice.
The volunteers will be carrying out their clean-up on August 2.
Ends
For more information please contact James Barber, EDF Energy press office, on 01293 509147.
Notes to editors:
EDF Energy
EDF Energy is one of the UK’s largest energy companies, producing around one-fifth of the nation's electricity from its nuclear, coal and gas power stations, as well as combined heat and power plants and wind farms. The company provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population via its electricity distribution networks and supplies gas and electricity to more than 5.5 million business and residential customers. It is the number one supplier of electricity to major business in the UK.
EDF Energy’s safe and secure operation of its eight existing nuclear power stations at sites across the country makes it the UK’s largest generator of low carbon electricity. EDF Energy is also leading the UK's nuclear renaissance and has published plans to build four new nuclear reactors, subject to the right investment framework. These new plants would generate enough low carbon electricity for about 40% of Britain’s homes. They would make an important contribution to the UK’s future needs for clean, secure and affordable energy. The project is already creating business and job opportunities for British companies and workers.
Through Our Climate and Social Commitments EDF Energy has launched the biggest environmental and social programme of any UK energy company. EDF is the official energy utilities partner and sustainability partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The company is also helping its customers and others use energy more sustainably through products and initiatives such as Read, Reduce, Reward and Team Green Britain.
EDF Energy is part of EDF Group, one of Europe’s largest power companies. Following the integration with British Energy in 2009, the company employs nearly 20,000 people at locations across the UK.
The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) is the UK charity dedicated to protecting our seas, shores and wildlife. MCS campaigns for clean seas and beaches, sustainable fisheries, protection of marine life and their habitats, and the sensitive use of our marine resources for future generations. MCS produces the annual Good Beach Guide (www.goodbeachguide.co.uk), the Good Fish Guide and www.fishonline.org on sustainable seafood, as well as promoting public participation in volunteer projects and surveys such as Beachwatch, Adopt-a-Beach and Basking Shark Watch. MCS, together with other UK NGOs, has successfully campaigned for Marine Acts for the UK, and specifically for Scotland www.mcsuk.org
