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Beach litter Britain

Photography Ruth Carruthers
Written by
Posted 10:42 GMT on April 8, 2009 Comments (1)
Beach litter Britain

Litter levels on British beaches have more than doubled in the last 15 years, according to a recent survey by the Marine Conservation Society (MCS).

This litter is not just an eyesore, it is costly to remove, and sadly, it also endangers wildlife such as seabirds, whales and turtles who often mistake plastic items for food, which once ingested can lead to death. At present there is no Government-led plan of action for tackling marine litter in the UK, so MCS is calling for a coordinated approach from Governments to develop a marine litter strategy.

However, it's not just the government that need to play a part in reducing the rubbish. "Whether you live near the coast or miles inland, we are all connected to the sea," says Emma Snowden, MCS Litter Projects Coordinator. Public litter is estimated to contribute 40% of the waste found along our coasts, so we all play a part in bringing litter on our beaches back down to zero.

For more information on this issue and other MCS campaigns check out www.mcsuk.org.

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Comments (1)

  • We need far more biodegradable and recyclable materials. this reliance on plastics is dangerous and unsustainable.

    and you should give anyone who you see littering on the beach a good ol' smack in the gob!

    eco_steve - April 9, 2009, 14:57 / Report abuse

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