Home / Environment / Volunteers Uncover Alarming Surge in Vapes and Fishing Litter on UK Beaches
Volunteers Uncover Alarming Surge in Vapes and Fishing Litter on UK Beaches
5 Aug
Summary
- Plastic pollution on UK beaches worsening, with more vapes, fishing litter, dog poo bags, and wet wipes
- Plastic bag litter reduced by 80% since 2015 due to policy changes, showing impact of legislation
- Volunteers call for better infrastructure like more accessible bins to tackle summer litter surge
According to the latest data from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the UK's beaches are facing a growing plastic pollution crisis. Volunteer beach cleaners have reported a concerning surge in certain types of plastic litter, including a 19% increase in vapes, a 26% rise in fishing-related items like lines and nets, and an 11% jump in both dog poo bags and wet wipes.
However, the MCS has also found some positive signs, demonstrating how effective policy can be in tackling the problem. The number of plastic bags littering beaches has decreased by a remarkable 80% between 2015 and 2024, following the introduction of a charge on carrier bags. This shows that targeted legislation can quickly make a significant difference in reducing environmental pollution.
As the UN's global plastics conference in Geneva convenes this week, the MCS is calling for swift and strong action from policymakers to address the ongoing crisis. Volunteers have also urged local authorities and governments to improve beach infrastructure, such as providing more accessible bins, to help manage the surge in litter during the busy summer months.
The problem of plastic pollution is widespread and harming wildlife, with reports of birds' nests containing plastic and seals becoming entangled in discarded fishing nets. Plastic does not biodegrade but instead breaks down into microplastics that remain in the environment indefinitely, posing a grave threat to marine life.
