Can Beach Cleans Do More Than Clean-Up Litter? Comparing Beach Cleans to Other Coastal Activities

TLDR

Coastal visits offer psychological benefits yet also contribute to litter accumulation, and volunteer beach cleans address this issue but may have only limited local impact. This study investigates the broader benefits of beach cleans, including well‑being, educational value, and influence on individuals’ pro‑environmental intentions. An experiment with 90 students randomly assigned to beach cleaning, rock‑pooling, or walking assessed these outcomes. All three activities improved mood and pro‑environmental intentions, with beach cleaning and rock‑pooling increasing marine awareness, beach cleaning rated most meaningful yet less restorative, underscoring complex person‑environment interactions.

Abstract

Coastal visits not only provide psychological benefits but can also contribute to the accumulation of rubbish. Volunteer beach cleans help address this issue, but may only have limited, local impact. Consequently, it is important to study any broader benefits associated with beach cleans. This article examines the well-being and educational value of beach cleans, as well as their impacts on individuals' behavioral intentions. We conducted an experimental study that allocated students (n = 90) to a beach cleaning, rock pooling, or walking activity. All three coastal activities were associated with positive mood and pro-environmental intentions. Beach cleaning and rock pooling were associated with higher marine awareness. The unique impacts of beach cleaning were that they were rated as most meaningful but linked to lower restorativeness ratings of the environment compared with the other activities. This research highlights the interplay between environment and activities, raising questions for future research on the complexities of person-environment interactions.