Record levels of litter on British beaches

The amount of litter recorded on British beaches has reached record levels, according to the latest research.

A survey carried out by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) revealed there were an average of 2,195 pieces of litter per kilometre of beach in 2008, compared to 2,054 a year earlier.

When compared to the figures for 1994 – the year the MSC first carried out the survey – the volume of litter recorded on the UK's beaches has increased by over 110 per cent.

The vast majority of litter recorded consisted of pieces of plastic; with polystyrene, fishing nets and cotton buds also posing an increasing problem.

Compared to 2007, average litter levels in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales decreased, while levels in the Channel Islands increased.

Within England, average litter levels have increased in all regions, with the exception of the north-west. The south-west has the worst recorded levels of litter, with some 4,784 items recorded per kilometre of beach.

At present there is no government-led plan of action for tackling marine litter in the UK.

In order to turn the tide on rising litter levels, the MCS is calling for a coordinated approach from governments to develop a marine litter strategy and deliver it through appropriate government bodies.

"Whether you live near the coast or miles inland, we are all connected to the sea," said Emma Snowden, MCS Litter Projects Coordinator.”

"This is a man-made problem.

"Every piece of litter has an owner and we all need to take responsibility to not drop litter in the first place.

"MCS wants to see zero waste on Britain’s beaches and our first goal is to halve the litter on Britain’s beaches by 2015, but in order to achieve this we need to appoint lead agencies with the specific responsibility to stop marine litter and develop a marine action plan now."

Chris O'Toole