Release date: 30 January 2026
The response to the waste and containers that came ashore along the West Sussex coastline continues to make strong progress, with a significant reduction in the amount of debris now being found on a daily basis.
To date, more than 154 tonnes of waste have been collected and disposed of. As the volume of waste has decreased substantially, work is now underway to begin a phased demobilisation of the response, with the size of the workforce being reduced to reflect the current level of activity.
The response was launched in December when containers came ashore between Selsey and Bognor Regis, with further containers lost and washed up along the West Sussex coastline and beyond following stormy weather in early January.
Extensive shoreline surveys have been carried out by representatives from the relevant agencies, including local authorities, incident response contractor Ambipar, and the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation. These surveys assess cleanliness levels and provide the evidence required to support decisions on when the emergency response can be formally stood down and when activities can return to business as usual.
These decisions are complex and require careful consideration of all aspects of the response, particularly from an environmental perspective, to ensure that any further work is appropriate, proportionate, and environmentally responsible.
The contribution of volunteers from local communities has been invaluable throughout the response, and we are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported the clean-up efforts.
Members of the public are asked to continue reporting any waste or debris that washes ashore. As we begin moving towards business as usual, reports of waste should be made to the relevant district or borough council responsible for that section of the coastline who will coordinate with contractors as appropriate.
