On Friday 25th August, the Duke McCaffrey came together to take part in a ‘clean up’ at Seapoint, organised by An Tasice and its Clean Coasts programme. The Clean Coasts programme works with communities to help protect and care for Ireland’s waterways, coastline, seas, ocean and marine life.
As part of our commitment to ISO14001 and educating our own teams on what is really happening in the world of marine, we were led by Mariana Colman, Coastal Programmes Assistant, Environmental Education Unit at An Taisce to talk about the challenges faced by Ireland’s coastlines and what we can do to make a difference.
How the Event Unfolded
After our health and safety induction, the day was divided into three sections. Part one was a focus on understanding the environmental impact and awareness, delving into the intricacies of our local ecosystem. In part two, we embarked on the cleaning process, picking up trash and waste to restore the natural beauty of the beach. The third part was great fun - team-building exercises to enhance teamwork skills while actively participating in the cleanup efforts.
Why Building Awareness and Taking Action Matters
Part of the Duke McCaffrey volunteering programme, our participation in this event was not just about the immediate impact of cleaning up the beach, it is part of a bigger picture and by educating ourselves about our environmental footprint and the consequences of our actions, we're taking steps to ensure a healthier planet for future generations.
We also believe that as a growing and global business, it is important that we take part in initiatives that have global impact. Beyond the intrinsic value of contributing to a cleaner environment, this three-hour activity was an opportunity for our team to work together toward a common goal, fostering collaboration and camaraderie among our staff. Stepping away from our regular workspaces and engaging with the natural world helps us reconnect with the environment.
Was our effort just a drop in the ocean?
“Far from it, the An Taisce team leader described how much of an impact our three hours made to marine life.”
The Duke McCaffrey team collected 3 full bags of litter weighing 7kgs altogether.
‘Not only did the event reinforce how committed we are to delivering on our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) but by educating our own teams on the extent of the damage and what we need to do to make small changes, we can make a difference by adapting our life and our approach to projects.’ Rebecca Coffey, Director
Taisce were superb, providing all the necessary equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPE), and bags, and even arranging for the disposal of the collected rubbish after the event. The funds generated from the event contribute to grants that support other environmental initiatives.
