Scottish Islands Federation
‘Collective Purpose' - Marine Art Skillshare and Networking Event
In January 2025, the Scottish Island Federation marine litter working group ran an online skill share and networking event connecting beach cleaners throughout Scotland with artisans and makers working with marine plastic.
The Challenge
Marine litter is an enormous challenge for island communities. In response to this the Scottish Island Federation created the Marine Litter Working Group in 2019. Since then, the group has been dedicated to organising beach clean-ups and collecting marine litter survey data. The skill share and networking event took this a step further by introducing new ideas for repurposing discarded items found on Scotland’s beaches.
Learning and Collaboration
The event featured three key speakers, each offering their unique perspectives on tackling marine litter through creativity and innovation: Steve Green of Clean Ocean Sailing, Rebecca Johncocks of Shore to Floor, and Catriona Spink of Ocean Gives. These experts shared insights on how marine plastic waste could be transformed into art and functional products, turning environmental problems into artistic and economic opportunities. The event was attended online by a mixture of beach cleaners, creatives, and recyclers from all over Scotland and beyond. They engaged in discussions, exchanged ideas, and built connections. For those who could not attend the live event, the presentations were recorded and made available online.
Creative Solutions
The event achieved its goal of shifting perspectives on marine litter. It emphasized the importance of creative solutions in tackling environmental issues and demonstrated how art and craftsmanship could be used to promote environmental stewardship. In addition to raising awareness, the event also supported beach cleaners and artisans to create a network of individuals and organisations with a common mission. These partnerships are vital for generating long-term impact and encouraging ongoing communication between those who may be on different paths but share similar objectives.
Attendees left the event with a renewed sense of purpose and optimism. As one participant remarked, “It’s so wonderful to see so many like-minded people together.” This sentiment echoed the success of the event in fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility. Ultimately, the event demonstrated that by combining the efforts of beach cleaners, artists, and other creatives, it is possible to turn marine litter into a valuable resource that benefits both the environment and local communities. Through continued collaboration and a commitment to sustainability, the solutions discussed at this event could help pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future for Scotland’s islands and beyond.
“This has been a wonderful event and truly inspiring! I look forward to chatting to you all a bit more in the future and seeing what creative collaborations will come from this!!”
