Home / Environment / Two Tonnes of Trash Washed Ashore on Isles of Scilly
Two Tonnes of Trash Washed Ashore on Isles of Scilly
2 Nov
Summary
- Over two tonnes of litter collected from Isles of Scilly coast.
- Debris originated globally, primarily from mainland UK and Europe.
- Recycling efforts transform over 1.2 tonnes of rigid plastics and nets.
In the last 18 months, the Isles of Scilly coastline has been cleared of over two tonnes of litter by the community group Scilly Coastal Clean-up. Since February 2025, the team has collected approximately 43,000 individual waste items, including 8,000 plastic bottles and 16,000 pieces of rope and netting.
This debris primarily arrives from distant locations, with about 98% traceable to mainland UK, Europe, Africa, America, and Canada, due to global shipping activities. The collected waste ranges from tiny plastic nurdles to larger items like toilet seats and even fridge freezers.
Significant recycling initiatives are underway. Over 1.2 tonnes of rigid plastics, rope, and net have been processed for reuse through a partnership with Odyssey Innovation and Exeter City Council. Additionally, 770kg of rope and net were recycled separately, while the Council of the Isles of Scilly managed 640kg of hazardous and non-recyclable waste.
