A massive two-day clean up of the Dee estuary kicked off on Friday 14 September at a launch hosted by leading manufacturers, Kingspan Insulated Panels. Around 100 people, including local councillors and representatives of numerous community groups, attended the breakfast launch and were inspired by the stirring words of special guest, Professor David Bellamy.

 

“All over the world people are fed up of seeing the things valued by our ancestors going down the drain and are doing something about it” proclaimed Mr Bellamy, and stressed the importance of taking our litter home with us, especially the endemic plastic that chokes our wildlife. 

 

Warming to the theme of climate change and positive action the enthusiastic environmentalist continued “Every problem there is can be solved by good science applied the right way” and indicated the Kingspan Visitor Centre, which features energy efficient ECOsafe Kingspan Optimo™ wall panels, as a prime example. “We are here to celebrate the green renaissance” he concluded “Every time we put a bit of wildlife back into the country it makes our lives a bit better”

 

The giant litter picking event, organised by the Flintshire Countryside Service is claimed to be the biggest partnership the Dee Estuary has ever seen, including 5 Local Authorities, 14 private businesses and 29 schools and other community groups. Stretching from Prestatyn to Chester and beyond to incorporate the Wirral, over six hundred men, women and children will have played a vital part in cleaning up over 30 miles of coastline.

 

Kingspan, who achieved the demanding ISO14001 standard for environmental management earlier this year already take responsibility for keeping their manufacturing site on the edge of the estuary clean and litter free, running a highly successful system of recycling packaging and production waste. They have also recently committed £10k to the regeneration of Greenfield Dock, supporting not only the environment but also helping the local fishing economy.