Survey Reveals Extent Of NI Beach Litter

Northern Ireland's beaches contain over four thousand pieces of litter for every kilometre, according to a new report.

Environmental charity TIDY Northern Ireland recently carried out a survey of marine litter on behalf of the Department of the Environment Marine Division, and found that an average of 4,033 pieces of litter per kilometre was counted between September 2012 and April 2013.

Within each kilometre, nearly three quarters of the litter was plastic, including cigarette lighters, crisp packets, pieces of rope and string and plastic bottles.

Of 262 metal items, 148 were drinks cans. 267 sanitary items, such as cotton buds, were also found.

Three of the beaches in the survey were near fishing harbours, and the report found that litter levels on these beaches were significantly higher than the average.

The survey used 14 reference beaches every three months from Limavady via Rathlin Island to Warrenpoint.

It found that the north coast had more litter in general, with small pieces of plastic or polystyrene and cotton bud sticks four times more common than on the east coast.

Minister Mark Durkan, who's Department commission the report, said: "Raising public awareness is the only guaranteed way of reducing marine litter. A combination of education, provision of adequate waste reception facilities and enforcement of legislation is needed to tackle beach litter. Beach cleans are an excellent public participation exercise, focusing the public's attention on the issue of marine litter and creating a sense of environmental responsibility."

Alliance Environment spokesperson Anna Lo said: "I think the public will be shocked that Tidy NI found over 4,000 items of rubbish per kilometre. I hope this survey will encourage people not to litter.

"As we look to attract visitors to Northern Ireland, we do not want them to see litter strewn across our beaches.

"I would urge people to pick up their rubbish when they are visiting our beaches. Let’s not spoil the beautiful scenery for others."

She added that "councils must also do more to ensure that there are an adequate number of bins on our beaches."

Ian Humphreys, Chief Executive of TIDY Northern Ireland, added: "We can all do our bit to help clean up our beaches, even if it is to simply start recycling that plastic bottle or tin can. More fundamentally though, we need to tackle the pervasive littering behaviour that has contributed to the figures in this report."

(IT/CD)