Officially founded in 2012 and incorporated in 2018 as a community interest company, Strandliners is a volunteer grassroots non-profit organisation based in East Sussex. Strandliners is a UN Ocean Ambassador.
During 2024, Strandliners staged 9 beach and 5 riverbank survey events; 36 freshwater events; deployed 300 volunteers who logged over 700 volunteer-hours; collected and safely disposed of 500 kilos of waste; filed 14 scientifically based plastic pollution surveys with national and international partners; and carried out 207 water quality tests. Over 9,000 pieces of marine and river pollution were identified, recorded and removed from the environment.
Strandliners’ dedicated volunteers have included: a geologist, a doctor, a TV presenter, an architect, an engineer, several artists, a yoga teacher, mums, dads, their sons and daughters, and many more. Our common cause is to identify the plastic pollution we pick and trace it to its source: domestic, agricultural, shipping, industrial, medical and commercial.
Collaboration is the key. If we work together, sharing our data with larger organisations, we have a better chance of turning back the tide of plastic pollution.
Andy Dinsdale
Executive Director, Andy Dinsdale has been leading riverbank and beach cleans since 2004 and regularly represents the organisation at national and international marine and river conservation conferences. He has received a Points of Light award from Boris Johnson and a Platinum Champions award from the Royal Voluntary Service in recognition of his outstanding commitment to volunteering and service to the community.
Dominic Manning
Dominic Manning is a local architect. He has been interested in environmental issues ever since reading Bill McKibben’s The End of Nature. He is involved in many community activities, including being the former chair of Rother Environmental Group, founder member of Rye Community Garden and Rye Chamber of Commerce sustainability officer.
Beverley Coombes
Beverley Coombes started volunteering for Strandliners while working on her Environmental Science degree. Inspired by what she was discovering, she went on to take a Masters in Global Biodiversity Conservation at the University of Sussex. Now retired after more than 20 years in primary education, she has more time to devote to Strandliners.
Our funders
STRANDLINERS CIC has received generous support from The Rivers Trust, Ouse & Adur Rivers Trust, Rother District Council, Rye Town Council, Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm, Sea-Changers, The Rye Fund, Jempson’s, Break Free From Plastic, Sussex Community Foundation, Rother Voluntary Action and individual donors like you. Thank you for your help.