AN initiative has been relaunched to help people bin broken bodyboards in Newquay to help protect the environment.

Mayor Drew Creek has installed recycling stations at South Fistral, Porth and Towan for people to discard their cheap polystyrene bodyboards, which easily break up in the surf and harm marine life.

A number of bodyboards have already been left and the plan is for Newquay Junior Academy to use them in a recycling project to teach pupils about helping to safeguard the environment.

Cllr Creek plans to meet with retailers in the town to try and persuade them to stop selling the polystyrene bodyboards and instead stock more durable alternatives.

He said: “As the Newquay mayor, Cornwall councillor and a local bodyboarder, I see the damage caused by these cheap polystyrene bodyboards washing up on our stunning beaches every single day.

“They break apart quickly, litter our shores, and harm precious marine life becoming toxic confetti in our waves. That’s why reinstating the bodyboard recycling stations we lost two years ago was so important to me.

“When the discussion turned to who would build them, I was happy to step in. My carpenter, who was busy working on my house at the time, kindly crafted three sturdy new recycling stations.

“I then had the pleasure of delivering them to Porth, South Fistral, and Towan beaches alongside the fantastic Cllr Steve Slade. This isn’t just about bins. It’s about phasing out boards that simply aren’t fit for purpose and actively protecting our precious coastline.

“We have a brilliant team making it happen. Alongside myself, Abby Wheston from the Blue Reef Aquarium, Cllr Joanna Kenny and Cllr Slade will be regularly emptying the stations all summer.

“Special thanks to Helen Fincham from Cornwall Council and Laura Guy-Wilkinson from Newquay Marine Group too. We’ll store the collected boards safely until autumn, when we have a special plan.

“We hope the children from Newquay Junior School will join us to help safely dismantle and recycle them properly.

“What a wonderful way to teach our next generation about caring for our seas. But recycling, while vital, is just step one. As a bodyboarder who loves our waves, I know there are far better, durable alternatives available. Boards that ride better, last longer, and are often available for hire right here in Newquay.

“My next mission, both as mayor and Cornwall councillor, is to work constructively with our local retailers to stop the sale of these environmentally harmful boards.

“Let’s offer visitors quality, eco-friendly choices instead. Our stunning coastline and precious marine environment are the heart of Newquay. They are worth infinitely more than the small profits made from selling these damaging, short-lived boards.

“Sacrificing our natural heritage for short-term gain is simply not an option. Let’s work together, residents, businesses, and visitors, to ensure Newquay’s beauty thrives forever. Please pop any broken polystyrene boards you find into our recycling stations and be part of protecting our home.”