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Sussex Chip Wash-Up Spurs Major Cleanup as Salvage Effort Advances

Officials say plastic packaging poses the main hazard, not the food.

Overview

  • Thousands of bags of uncooked fries washed ashore at Falling Sands near Beachy Head over the weekend following container losses during Storm Goretti.
  • Eastbourne Borough Council says volunteers have largely removed chip-bag plastic, and council crews have been redirected to clear remaining debris.
  • Salvage firm Brand Marine is recovering containers for the vessel Lombok Strait after 17 refrigerated boxes were lost on January 8, part of 24 containers shed by two ships.
  • HM Coastguard reports recent aerial surveys found no further containers offshore and noted earlier recoveries at Seaford and off Littlehampton.
  • Authorities and groups including Plastic Free Eastbourne and Brighton & Hove City Council urge the public to avoid debris and keep dogs on leads due to contamination and wildlife risks.