The island’s efforts in tackling waste has been given worldwide publicity in a National Geographic feature.

An article focusing on the ’infectious bug of beach cleaning’ which has hit residents across the island was published via the iconic magazine’s website with a printed version expected to appear in future.

Titled ’How this British island nation is tackling plastic waste - and winning’, the piece follows the progress of Beach Buddies in clearing tonnes of plastic from the island’s shorelines as well as the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture’s marine conservation programme and the island’s Unesco biosphere status.

Freelance reporter Kingsley Singleton, who visited the island for the first time last summer, wrote how the Isle of Man’s ’addictive and collaborative approach to cleanup and sustainability is setting international standards as a microcosm for success’.

The story of how Beach Buddies’ founder Bill Dale was inspired to set the initiative up in 2006 is explained.

Mr Dale described the feature as a ’really positive’ thing for the island.

’I’m fairly sure this is the first time the Isle of Man has gained extensive publicity like this in National Geographic,’ he said.

’More than anything else, I really hope this helps Beach Buddies in our mission to spread the word around the world about what we have as a nation have achieved in the island.’

In the piece, he gives the message that although the natural boundaries of the island make beach cleaning a more defined task, by adjusting your way of thinking you can make every town or street into ’an island’ itself.

Before and after photos taken by Mr Dale of the beach cleans are shown amongst photos of the island’s scenery, including views of Ballaugh Beach, St Michael’s Isle, the Tower of Refuge in Douglas and lighthouses on the Calf of Man.

Dr Fiona Gell, ecosystem policy manager at the DEFA and head of climate change for the government, also talks about the effects of people’s engagement in cleaning the island. Joining her is Rowan Henthorn, a marine scientist and climate change researcher and ecosystem officer for the government.

Also covered are the island’s claims to fame including the TT races, having its own population of wallabies, being the first in the world to give women who owned property the right to vote in 1881 and being the first entire nation to get a Unesco Biosphere Reserve status.

Beach Buddies is turning its attention to The Lhen and Sartfield for this weekend’s clean up.

Volunteers are asked to meet in the car park from 10.30am on Sunday. For a map and further details, search @beachbuddiesisleofman on Facebook.

Read the feature here: www.nationalgeographic.co.uk/environment-and-conservation/2020/01/how-british-island-nation-tackling-plastic-waste-and-winning/