5,000 Pieces Of Litter Per Kilometre Of NI Beach

The average kilometre of beach in Northern Ireland has over 5,000 pieces of litter on it, according to the Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful charity.

The organisation has been monitoring litter on beaches from Lough Foyle to Carlingford Lough for the past three years, and have said that the 2015 results "are the worst yet".

On the 14 reference beaches, an average of 1,500 bits of plastic, 425 plastic drinks bottles and 180 cotton buds per kilometre were observed. At least 80% of the litter was made of plastic and likely to be recyclable.

Chris Allen, who managed the survey, said: "These are pretty stark figures. This report suggests that more litter is being dumped on our beaches, not less. Setting aside the dangers to wildlife, much of our country's economic prosperity is based on our natural heritage, and we are just trashing it.

"We have world-class beaches in this country. They fly Blue Flags for excellent facilities; they set the scene for enormously successful TV shows; tens of thousands of visitors come to enjoy them, but they are frequently covered in a load of plastic bottles, crisp packets and bits of string. Would you come back? Would you bring your friends?"

The figures were collected as part of a European requirement to monitor the amount and impact of litter in the sea, where it kills wildlife and damages boats.  

(MH/JP)