London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 03, 2025

'There are up to 5,000 pieces of ­plastic per mile on our beloved Brit beaches'

'There are up to 5,000 pieces of ­plastic per mile on our beloved Brit beaches'

Flora Blathwayt was shocked to see the rubbish washed up on the shores of the Thames and has turned her hobby from trash into cash, writes Nada Farhoud

There are as many as 5,000 items of ­ plastic pollution per mile on our beloved British beaches.

While some bottles and wrappers have been mindlessly left behind or blown out of nearby bins, a vast majority of the plastic choking our seas has entered from rivers.

Surfers Against Sewage has launched what it says will be the UK’s biggest ever beach clean, as part of efforts to tackle the threat of plastic pollution to marine wildlife.

The charity hopes to inspire 100,000 people to clean up their local beach, river, street or green spaces, to clear a million miles by the end of 2021, as part of a new “million-mile clean” ­environmental campaign.

There are as many as 5,000 items of ­plastic pollution per mile on Britain's beaches


After attending a clean-up event for World Rivers Day, Flora Blathwayt was shocked to see the amount of rubbish being washed up on the shores of the Thames.

Now the 34-year-old, who was furloughed in May last year, has turned her hobby from trash into cash – leading to the start of Washed Up Cards, a small business born in the pandemic.

She said: “I decided to make my sister, who for a long time has been living plastic free, a card using bits of plastic for her wedding.

“I had so much fun making it that I started sending more for friends and family.

“But it wasn’t until lockdown started and I was furloughed that I started running more along the Thames, and found myself cleaning the beach and finding more ‘jewels’, when I realised I could turn this into a proper venture.”

She sells cards for all ­occasions with each having a different bit of river plastic incorporated into the hand-drawn design on recycled cards. Flora also reuses packaging such as the wrap that surrounds toilet paper.

“I’m not perfect with plastic, but if everyone does a bit more that does count for a lot,” Flora said.

Customers include actor Hugh Bonneville and those from as far away as Florida. Some have also messaged to say her cards have inspired them to start a local clean-up, while Selfridges now plan to sell the cards in its stores.

For more information go to: instagram.com/washedupcards

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×