A THOUGHT-PROVOKING sculpture will feature on Lyme Regis beach to encourage people to think about plastic and other waste.
This summer, Litter Free Coast and Sea is promoting the ‘take only memories, leave only footprints’ message by installing sculptures on four popular beaches.
The project aims to reduce the rubbish entering our oceans and damaging wildlife.
The sculptures represent typical single-use plastic, takeaway food and drink items in giant size and promote the choices people can make to reduce the impact waste and plastic are having on the planet.
The sculptures, designed by architectural designer Jack Raisey, will be installed on beaches at Lyme Regis, West Bay, Bournemouth and West Bay.
The installation will be on the pebble beach near Cobb Gate in Lyme Regis from Monday 29 July and will be in place until the end of August.
Jack Raisey said: “The sculpture is designed to stop and make people think, even if only for a second. If everyone made small changes, it adds up to make a big difference.”
Before commissioning Jack to create the sculptures, Litter Free Coast and Sea and Dorset Food and Drink carried out ‘plastic surgeries’, where local food and drink businesses who are reducing their plastic and experimenting with alternative packaging, shared their experience and inspired others to do the same.
The sculptures celebrate their efforts and promote making environmentally-responsible choices.
Gwen Hawkins, coordinator of Litter Free Coast and Sea, said: “We want to engage with people using the beaches and help them be more aware of the damage littering causes, with the aim of reducing food and drink-related litter such as bottles, trays, cutlery, BBQs, etc.
“The sculptures Jack has created will get people’s attention and make people think about the impact they have while at the beach.”
Lyme Regis Town Council has given its support to the project.
Cllr Jeff Scowen, deputy mayor and chairman of the council’s Tourism, Community and Publicity Committee, said: “The sculptures will be a real statement piece on the beach, helping to spread the litter and plastic-free message to residents and visitors.
“The council has recently declared a climate and environmental emergency and projects such as this support our aims, so we’re fully behind the ‘take only memories, leave only footprints’ message.
“Hopefully the sculptures will generate plenty of thought and discussion, not only to encourage people to keep Lyme Regis litter and plastic-free, but to get people thinking about wider environmental issues and the impact plastic and waste is having on the planet.”
This project is part of the Dorset Coastal Connections portfolio of 18 projects along the Dorset Coast which aims to support and boost the economies of Dorset’s coastal areas. See www.dorsetcoasthaveyoursay.co.uk for more information.