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SAS Million Mile Clean
In 2021 we launched our most successful beach clean campaign ever . The Million Mile Clean saw 142,428 of you join us at 4,216 events across the UK , removing a staggering 398,798.2kg of plastic and packaging pollution and covering 1,116,226.4 miles of blue , green and urban space across the year . Through the cleans we also saw 327 Brand Audit data sets being submitted , collecting vital evidence of the scale of the plastic pollution crisis and allowing us to hold those responsible accountable .
… BUT the Million Mile Clean is about so much more . www . britishcanoeing . org . uk
In our recent survey , 98.2 % of Clean Leaders said that organising a Million Mile Clean supported their social health needs , while 66 % said that their emotional needs were met through participating in the cleans .
10 MILES FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
10 MILES FOR YOUR BODY
10 MILES FOR YOUR MIND
10 MILES FOR YOUR ENVIRONMENT
From the launch in April 2021 , wellbeing and community have been at the very core of the campaign , championing the benefits of socialising , volunteering and exercise , and the opportunity beach cleans provide for all of these . These themes will become the focus of 2022 as we look to drive more impact and bring about real , tangible change .
I feel that taking responsibility for my environment makes me feel more connected to nature and my surroundings
Zoe , SAS Million Mile Clean Leader .
67 % of Million Mile Clean Leaders said after a clean they feel like they engaged their mind and body , got exercise and finished feeling good about themselves . There is growing awareness around the benefits for both mind and body of community volunteering and beach cleaning in general . Blue Prescribing is an emerging type of therapy and very much on the rise as more and more people turn to the ocean , rivers and waterways for support , quiet and peace of mind . It ’ s simple ; doing something good for something that has provided solace , with friends and family or likeminded people , achieving a direct result ( i . e . a cleaner space ) equals that warm , fuzzy feeling .
Another well documented side-effect of the pandemic is a drop in physical wellbeing – numerous lockdowns and isolation periods have limited our ability to get outdoors and exercise . That is why we are challenging YOU to clean 10 miles of your local river or waterway throughout the year .
This year marks the start of the Ocean Decade and , with many of us being deprived of Vitamin Sea over the last two years , we have been reminded just how important the water ( whether it is ocean , rivers , lakes , waterways …) is to our mental and physical health .