Old bodyboards collected at Devon County Councils recycling centres are helping the Environment Agency protect some of the county’s most important coastal habitats.
The boards, collected by our staff at our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), are now being used during surveys on intertidal mudflats. They provide a practical way for researchers to move equipment and work in areas where soft mud can make access difficult.
Seagrass meadows are among the UK’s most valuable coastal habitats, providing shelter, breeding grounds and feeding areas for a wide range of marine species. They also help stabilise seabed sediments and reduce coastal erosion.
The surveys help improve our understanding of the health of Devon’s estuaries and provide vital information to support their long-term protection.
The project brings together our waste service, SUEZ, who manage our recycling centres, and the Environment Agency to turn unwanted items into practical tools for conservation work. The initiative highlights how simple reuse projects can reduce waste while supporting practical conservation work across Devon.
Find out more about Devon’s Household Waste Recycling Centres and the range of items that can be reused and recycled at: www.devon.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling.

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