Almost half a million bits of litter removed from UK beaches in 2023

14,721 volunteers picked up rubbish from their local beaches

From sand in your sandwiches to a spot of rain, plenty of things can spoil a trip to the beach but there's also a pretty good chance of that thing being litter.

Almost half a million bits of litter were removed from beaches across the UK in 2023 as part of the Marine Conservation Society's annual beach clean.

The charity said the amount of items picked up from the coast went up from the year before.

Drinks-related litter like plastic bottles, caps and cans were some of the most-found items.

What was found in the annual beach clean?

The charity said that 480,343 piece of litter were found, weighing 17,208kg - that weighs more than two and a half African elephants.

Rubbish was picked up by 14,721 volunteers from their local beaches, each recorded the items found within 100m stretches.

Plastic bottles were found on 92% of stretches, while caps and lids were found on 89%.

The charity analysed more stretches of beach than ever before in its 30 year history.

The charity said the amount of of items picked up from the coast is up 22% from the year before

The Marine Conservation Society is calling for the introduction of a deposit return scheme as soon as possible - a system where people get a small deposit back when they return single-use bottles and cans.

Lizzie Price, who is a beachwatch manager for the charity, said "evidence shows that refillable alternatives and litter return schemes effectively reduce rubbish".

A spokesperson for Defra said the government is continuing to work towards eliminating avoidable waste by 2050, that's why it has banned many single-use plastics and is simplifying recycling.

The department says it is continuing to work with businesses as it moves ahead with "introducing the deposit return scheme".

It is due to be introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2025.

Scotland's deposit return scheme was due to be launched in 2023 but was delayed, also to 2025.