Massive Clean-Up Underway After Shipping Containers and Rubbish Wash Ashore on West Sussex Coast
A massive scramble is underway along the West Sussex coast as shipping containers and tonnes of debris slam into beaches between Selsey and Bognor Regis. Councils and environmental crews are working flat out to clear the mess and protect locals.
28km of Coastline Wiped Clean of Dangerous Debris
West Sussex County Council, Arun District Council, and Chichester District Council have teamed up with environmental experts Ambipar in a huge clean-up drive. Since Monday 8 December, teams have scoured 28 kilometres of coastline, using drones and crews on the ground to hunt down wreckage left by recent storms.
They’ve pulled tonnes of rubbish and hazardous cargo from the beach, battling to stop pollution from spreading.
Tonnes of Bananas and Skips Packed with Plastic Waste Recovered
The scale of the rubbish dump is jaw-dropping. In just four days, volunteers and staff have cleared 19,000 litres of rogue bananas washing ashore, plus one and a half 40-yard skips full of plastic waste and another skip stuffed with mixed rubbish.
To put it in perspective, each 40-yard skip holds the weekly rubbish of 25-30 families.
Two massive waste hubs have been set up to handle the debris: one in Selsey the size of eight tennis courts, and another in Bognor Regis covering two tennis courts. More skips and gear are being moved in to keep the clean-up running hard over the weekend and next week.
Volunteers Urgently Needed – But Keep Safe!
While councils praise the “incredible” community effort so far, they warn locals to stay cautious. The shipping containers, many still stacked with bananas, are unstable and packed with sharp metal. Climbing on or touching them could cause serious injury – authorities say it’s a strict no-go.
If you want to help, volunteers can join the clean-up from 9am to 3pm daily at:
- Bognor Regis: Gloucester Road car park
- Selsey: East Beach car park
Free gear like litter pickers, gloves, high-vis vests, and bin bags will be provided. Volunteers must follow strict safety rules: work in pairs, wear sturdy footwear, steer clear of machinery and the waterline, and avoid cordoned-off areas. No children or pets allowed.
Council spokespeople said: “The community’s support has been vital. We thank volunteers for their incredible response and urge everyone to follow safety advice.”
Any hazards should be reported immediately to Ambipar staff in branded uniforms. The clean-up will continue non-stop as teams race to restore the beautiful coast.
