Da Voar Redd Up: Shetland's spring clean

Every year since 1988 volunteers from around Shetland take part in Da Voar Redd Up, a spring clean of Shetland's coastlines, beaches roadsides and public spaces.

The Redd Up has been managed by Shetland Amenity Trust since its start, and what began with a few hundred volunteers cleaning litter from local beaches has now expanded into the UKs longest running and most successful voluntary community clear-ups.

Groups and communities around the islands take part with over 20% of Shetland's population getting involved, clearing over 2,000 tonnes of bruck (that's litter, or rubbish, for those not from Shetland) to date from our environment.

The issue of marine litter and plastics polution is one that Shetland has long been aware of, being at the edge of the Atlantic and North Seas. With more and more attention being drawn to the global problem of marine pollution, Da Voar Redd up was ahead of its time in taking community action to tackle the problem. And it continues to allow Shetlanders to do their bit, with thousands of volunteers answering the call to participate each year.

As well as cleaning the environment for locals and visitors to enjoy the islands' spectacular locations, the redd up also helps wildlife and feeds into marine research. People are always encouraged to recor unusual or unexpected finds, including 'mermaid's purses' – the hard cases that protect the eggs of various shark and ray species. This information helps inform marine researchers monitoring those and other species.

Rory Tallack, Natural Heritage officer at SAT, and one of the event’s organisers, highlighted the impact of the initiative

“Da Voar Redd Up is a fantastic volunteer-led community event where people can come together in the fresh air and make a meaningful difference to Shetland’s natural environment. Last year over 3,000 volunteers took part, reflecting the deep pride people have in their islands and their commitment to protecting the landscape around them.

"Some 200 groups participated, including sports teams, youth clubs, church groups, businesses, knitting circles, tour operators, and toddler groups. Families, neighbours, schools, and community organisations also got involved, demonstrating how Da Voar Redd Up brings people together for a shared purpose to care for their surroundings.”

This film was created in collaboration with Shetland Amenity Trust, with funding support from Sea Changers.