The Blue: Art, Community, and Ocean Conservation
Exploring The Deep Blue, Protecting Our Future
Street art installations in Bermondsey’s “The Blue” aren’t just about trying to create visually stunning works that improve the local area and inspire locals and employees, and encourage others to venture to the area — they also tell another story. Inspired by the depths of the ocean, each mural brings vibrant sea creatures to the streets of Bermondsey, reminding us of the beauty and mystery of marine life. But beneath the surface of this artistic celebration lies another message about the work local businesses are leading on in partnership with Southwark Council’s Climate Collective, the need to be sustainable is a strong desire and mission of many of the family owned businesses in Bermondsey, essentially doing our bit on behalf of future generations.
Why Sustainability Matters
Every year, millions of tons of plastic enter our oceans, endangering marine life and ecosystems. From discarded bottles to microplastics, these pollutants harm the very creatures we admire. With this project, we aim to spark conversations about sustainability and encourage small, impactful changes in everyday life.
Our Commitment to Change
Alongside the art, we’re championing initiatives that help protect our environment:
- Reducing Plastic Waste: Encouraging reusable alternatives and responsible disposal.
- Local Clean-Ups: Partnering with community groups to keep Bermondsey’s streets clean.
- Working with Trees for Bermondsey: Their mission is to plant more trees and to protect, restore and increase tree canopy in Southwark, particularly, on the streets, estates and public areas of Bermondsey.
- Working with First Mile and the local Business community: Bermondsey Business Improvement District (BID) subsidises the recycling costs of businesses within the BID area. We’ve been so impressed with some of the other sustainability initiatives by the local business community, we’ll be showcasing these soon.
What You Can Do
- Bring Your Own (BYO): Ditch single-use plastics in favor of reusable bags, bottles, and containers.
- Support Sustainable Brands: Choose businesses that prioritize eco-friendly packaging and materials.
- Get Involved: Join local clean-ups or sustainability events—every small action helps.
- All of this ties into Southwark’s 2030 agenda, the work being led by Cllr John Batteson. As cabinet member for Climate Emergency, Jobs and Business, he is therefore leading on a wide programme. He’s inspiring us and other businesses to do our bit, so we’re all trying to support him to make a difference in order to work towards the collective aim for the benefit of future generations.
By blending art with activism, we hope to create a legacy that goes beyond murals. The Blue is more than just a place—it’s a movement towards a cleaner, more conscious future.
Explore the art. Promote the Blue. Protect The Blue.
