Plastic pollution on UK beaches has increased again, ocean charity finds

Plastic pollution has increased on UK beaches, according to ocean charity

The amount of plastic rubbish found on beaches in the UK has increased by nearly 10%, according to new findings.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said more than 15,000 volunteers picked up three quarters of a million pieces of litter across beaches in the UK in 2024.

Its latest report said the amount of plastic litter collected in beach cleans and surveys increased by 9.5% in 2024 compared with beach cleans in 2023.

The results show plastic pollution "remains a huge problem for our marine environment", the charity said.

During MCS beach cleans, volunteers go through stretches of beach picking up items of rubbish which are collected, bagged and then recorded.

The charity said plastic fragments were the most common type of rubbish found on UK beaches, followed by single-use plastic packaging such as crisp packets, and sweet and sandwich wrappers.

Bottle caps and lids, and string and cord were also frequently found during beach cleans.

Exactly why the amount of plastic on beaches has gone up is unclear, but MCS says there has been an increasing trend in plastic items found on beaches over the 31 years since it began running the survey.

Many people volunteer at beach clean ups to help collect rubbish

"Thanks to over 15,000 volunteers last year, the data from our beach cleans is clear: plastic pollution remains a huge problem for our marine environment," said Lizzie Price who is the beachwatch manager at the MCS.

"Everyone has a role to play in protecting our oceans, and we urge the public to support stronger action against plastic waste, as well as cut down plastic from their everyday use."

What about other types of litter?

Fly tipping has also contributed to increases in litter on beaches

Almost half of the overall levels of rubbish on beaches recorded by MCS comes from the public, according to the charity's findings.

This includes household litter washed down to the sea through rivers or drainage, or rubbish which has been blown or dropped on the coastline.

Around one third of the litter couldn't be identified.

Litter was also reported to come from a number of other sources including fishing, shipping and fly-tipping, which is when rubbish is illegally dumped either on land or in water.

What has the government said?

The government agrees more needs to be done to tackle plastic pollution.

"For too long plastic waste has littered our streets, polluted Britain's waterways and threatened our wildlife," said a spokesperson from the government's environment department.

"This government is committed to cleaning up the nation and cracking down on plastic waste."