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Levels of litter on UK beaches soar



 
 
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Old April 10th, 2008, 07:36 AM posted to rec.travel.europe,uk.politics.misc
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Default Levels of litter on UK beaches soar

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/pressass/20...r-6323e80.html

Levels of litter on UK beaches soar
Press Assoc. - 57 minutes ago

Plastic litter, including bags and bottles, is at its worst level ever
recorded on Britain's beaches.

The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said the amount of plastic found
on the coastline had increased by 126% since its first annual
Beachwatch survey in 1994.

Carrier bags, drinks bottles and even plastic-based cigarette butts
contributed to the "tide" of plastic waste which made up more than
half (58%) of the litter blighting our beaches, the MCS Beachwatch
2007 study found.

The conservation organisation said the plastics could remain in the
marine environment for hundreds of years and prove fatal for wildlife
including seabirds, turtles and whales.

More than 170 marine species have been recorded mistaking litter for
food, and as a result starving, being poisoned or suffering fatal
stomach blockages.

Emma Snowden, MCS litter projects co-ordinator, said: "The results are
truly shocking. In the last 10 years, plastic bottles have increased
by 67%, plastic bags by 54% and cigarette butts by 44%.

The 2007 report saw almost 4,000 volunteers surveying 168.5km of coast
in September 2007 and removing more than 346,000 items of litter
ranging from cloth and fishing line to glass and lolly wrappers.

The MCS said the litter was recycled where possible or disposed of
with the help of local authorities.

The number of items of litter per kilometre rose slightly on average
across the UK from 2006 to 2007, increasing from a density of 1,988
items per kilometre to 2,053 - an average of two pieces per metre.

The survey found the largest single source of beach litter was from
visitors and recreation on the coast (35.3%), followed by fishing
litter (13.7%), sewage-related/sanitary waste (6.1%) and shipping
litter (1.8%).
 




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