The Marine Conservation Society has released alarming new data from its 2024 beach cleans, revealing that compared to 2023, the amount of plastic washed up on our beaches has increased by nearly 10 per cent. 

The charity’s annual State of our Beaches 2024 report showed volunteers collected and recorded a staggering three quarters of a million (764,451) pieces of litter across the UK, averaging 170 items per 100 metres of coastline. The data contributes to the charity’s dataset of over 30-years, allowing them to identify common litter items, sources and trends, and use this evidence to campaign for cleaner and healthier seas.

The results from the charity’s beach cleaning programme shows that almost two pieces of litter (1.7), were found on every metre of surveyed UK beaches. The majority (46 per cent) of litter is from public sources; household litter washing its way into our seas via rivers, drainage and sewage outlets, or blown or dropped onto our coastline.

Lizzie Price, Beachwatch Manager at the Marine Conservation Society, said, “Thanks to over 15,000 volunteers last year, the data from our beach cleans is clear: plastic pollution remains a huge problem for our marine environment. We urgently need more policies to reduce single-use plastics and ensure better waste management. Everyone has a role to play in protecting our oceans, and we urge the public to support stronger action against plastic waste, as well as cut down plastic from their everyday use.” 

Image: Billy Barraclough

Plastic fragments topped the list of most common litter items, followed by single-use plastic packets – including crisp, sweet and sandwich wrappers. Other problematic items included bottle caps and lids and string and cord, which pose serious threats to marine life. It is not clear why there is such an increase in plastic litter this year, but plastic has shown an increasing trend since the charity’s records began 31 years ago. Annual fluctuations show the lowest amount of plastic was found in 1994, and the highest in 2012.

Plastics endanger marine life through ingestion, entanglement and toxic contamination. Seabirds, seals and fish often mistake plastic for food, leading to internal injuries, starvation and even death. Microplastics – tiny plastic particles that come from broken-down plastics – are now present in the ocean and food chain, posing a long-term threat to both wildlife and human health.

The charity is calling for urgent policy changes to tackle the issue at its source, including stronger legislation to curb the use of single-use plastics.

Catherine Gemmell, Policy and Advocacy Manager at the Marine Conservation Society said, “The findings highlight the persistent problem of plastic pollution, and the need for a circular economy in which consumers have more options and access to use refillable and reusable products. We need more policies by the UK Government, and incentives for businesses, to cut down on the single-use plastic that we’re producing.”  

Among the most frequently recorded waste were plastic caps and lids, found on 88 per cent of beaches, and plastic bottles and containers, which appeared on 71 per cent of surveyed sites. The Marine Conservation Society remains hopeful that the introduction of a Deposit Return Scheme in October 2027 will help reduce the number of discarded plastic bottles, and related waste, in the future.

The Marine Conservation Society continues to campaign for cleaner seas and encourages individuals to take part in beach cleans, reduce their plastic use, and support policy changes aimed at reducing plastic pollution.

For the last 10 years players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped fund the Marine Conservation Society’s beach cleaning programme. 

Laura Chow, Head of Charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, said, “Beach cleans are about more than just removing litter. The information collected by Marine Conservation Society volunteers contributes towards valuable datasets identifying pollution sources and trends over time so we can all take action to reduce marine pollution and protect our seas. 

“I’m delighted funding raised by players of Postcode Lottery is supporting beach cleans, where every piece of litter collected and recorded brings us a step closer to healthier oceans.” 

More information on how to get involved in a Marine Conservation Society beach clean, or organise your own, can be found on the charity’s website.

The post Plastic litter increases by nearly 10% on UK beaches appeared first on All At Sea.