Hundreds expected to form human chain in protest at plastic pollution

Hundreds of people are expected to gather in Cornwall this weekend as part of a national protest against plastic pollution.

The campaign group - Surfers Against Sewage - says the event is about protecting the ocean and standing up to the companies responsible for plastic pollution.

“We’re drowning in plastic. Big brands keep pumping it out. Governments look the other way. Meanwhile, our ocean, our health, and our planet pay the price,” the charity said.

The protest is part of The People vs Plastic campaign, a UK-wide day of action calling on the Government to commit to a bold Global Plastics Treaty, change legislation, and hold polluters accountable.

According to SAS, the plastic pollution problem is only getting worse. Around 11 million tonnes of plastic enters the ocean every year - the equivalent of dumping 2,000 trucks of plastic waste into oceans, rivers, and lakes every single day.

The group says figures from its annual Million Mile Clean of beaches and rivers show increasing amounts of pollution collected per mile. In 2025 so far, 40,942kg of waste has been gathered from 194,120 miles of coastline and countryside. In 2024, the total was 81,076kg from 310,692 miles.

Plastic Free Newquay relaunch

The protest comes as Surfers Against Sewage also appeals for new volunteers in Newquay to help relaunch the town’s Plastic Free Community initiative.

Newquay was awarded Plastic Free status in 2018, but the charity is now seeking a new local co-ordinator to take on the role and drive the programme forward once again.

Rachel Yates, Senior Communities Manager at SAS, has been encouraging people in the town to get involved.

PRESS PLAY to listen to our interview with Rachel about how you can be part of the Plastic Free initiative in Newquay.