British beaches ‘littered with plastic’

The organisation’s Beachwatch 2007 Report shows that plastic litter on beaches has increased by 126% since the annual survey began in 1994.

MCS campaigners say the rise is threatening marine wildlife which mistakes the plastic litter for food or becomes entangled in the debris.

The organisation says the rise can be attributed to an increase in the amount of plastic being used, but also to older plastic rubbish remaining on beaches.

Sue Kinsey, MCS litter policy officer, told edie: “I don’t think it’s because people are becoming particularly dirty in their habits, because people are becoming better at recycling.

“It’s partly to do with the increasing amount of plastic products.

“The other reason is there’s a lot plastic already out there that’s being broken down into pieces.

“One plastic bottle today would count as one piece, but in 20 years it could be hundreds of pieces.”

Visitors using beaches for recreation accounted for 35.3% of all the litter found during the 2007 survey, and MCS is encouraging individuals to take more responsibility for keeping beaches clean.

It is also urging Government to strengthen and enforce legislation to prevent littering.

Ms Kinsey said: “There are already existing laws about littering and dumping at sea and those need to be better enforced.

“But maybe it needs to go further – it’s up to Government to say ‘do we need tougher laws?’ and for retailers to say ‘do we really need that much packaging?’.”

For more information on the MCS’ efforts to make Britain’s beaches cleaner, visit www.adoptabeach.org.uk

2007 beach litter facts:

Kate Martin