19/03/2015

Survey Finds Rise In Beach Litter

A new survey from the Marine Conservation Society has revealed a 6.4% rise in the amount of litter on the UK's coastline.

The survey found beaches in Wales had the most litter, followed by England. Beach litter decreased in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Of the type of litter collected, the society found a 50% increase in the number of wet wipes littering beaches, an increase it claims is due to people flushing them down them toilets, instead of putting them into a bin.

It is understood that the wipes don't easily disintegrate and sewerage systems are unable to process them.

The society compiles its report from information gathered by around 5,000 volunteers during its annual Great British Beach Clean.

The full report can be read here(PDF).

(MH/CD)

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