The Clean Coast Programme aims to acknowledge beaches which meet guideline water quality standards but which are prized for their natural unspoilt environment.

The Green Coast Award is aimed particularly (but not solely) at rural beaches which do not qualify for other awards due to the lack of intensive management and high level of infrastructure around the beach area. To be eligible for the Green Coast Award the beach operator (usually local council) must provide evidence that they have addressed all the award objectives.
These objectives include:

• Water quality
• Beach management
• Litter and waste
• Safety
• Information and education
• Beach guardianship

Beaches suitable for the Green Coast Award will be carefully managed and in close consultation with conservation organizations such as the National Trust or Ulster Wildlife Trust. If facilities are present on or near the beach, they should minimize visual impact and any litter found on the beach should be cleansed sensitively. Once each of these objectives have been completed and the operator has applied for the award, the beach will then be inspected by the TIDY Northern Ireland Coastal Officer. A decision will then be made as to whether the beach should win a Green Coast Award.

This year eight of Northern Ireland's beaches were recognised by the Green Coast Award. These included:

Cranfield

Murlough Beach

Tyrella

Helen's Bay

Four other beaches also entered into the Green Coast Award pilot stage and these included:

Cloughey

Crawfordsburn

Minerstown

Rossglass

If you would like to find out more about the Green Coast Award please download the Guidance Notes below or contact the TIDY Northern Ireland Coastal Officer:

jennifer.smyth@tidynorthernireland.org or phone 028 90 736 920

The Clean Coast Programme is sponsored by Coca-Cola Bottlers (Ulster) Ltd .