Are Manxies Quietly The World’s Best Rubbish Pickers?

Is the Isle of Man quietly showing the rest of the world how it’s done?

That’s the big question being asked this week after Beach Buddies highlighted both the island’s incredible community spirit, and one slightly poo-shaped problem at Ballaugh Plantation.

The Manx charity, which has spent the last 20 years cleaning beaches and public spaces with zero government funding, has spoken out after local resident Susan Copestake raised concerns on Manx Radio’s Mannin Line (anyone else hear the theme tune whenever they hear the words ‘Mannin Line’, or just us?)

Susan, who met Beach Buddies founder Bill Dale while he was emptying one of the charity’s bins at Ballaugh Plantation, noticed something pretty grim: around three quarters of the bin’s contents were used dog poo bags.

Not only is that unpleasant, it’s also Bill himself who empties the bin.

Susan contacted DEFA’s forestry department to ask why there isn’t a dedicated dog waste bin at the plantation entrance, only to be told there never has been one and that any request for one was unlikely to be approved.

Cue frustration.

In an open message to Environment Minister Clare Barber, Susan questioned why a charity with no government funding is left dealing with dog waste, and whether the ‘there never has been one’ attitude is really good enough for a place so loved and well-used by the public.

Beach Buddies, meanwhile, has taken its usual calm and measured approach.

The charity says it avoids finger-pointing, choosing instead to lead by example, and it reckons that approach works.

In fact, Beach Buddies believes the Isle of Man is ‘miles and miles ahead’ of the rest of the world when it comes to tackling litter, thanks to thousands of people quietly picking up rubbish on beaches, roadsides, glens and footpaths.

‘You don’t need to join an event,’ the charity says. ‘Just go out and do it.’

But with international awards, global recognition, and still no long-term funding, Beach Buddies has gently suggested it might be time for politicians to ask whether this world-leading Manx success story deserves a bit more backing.