Beach litter is not only an eyesore, it's a problem on a global scale. Beach litter impacts on wildlife, and costs the UK millions of pounds in annual clean up costs. Results from the MCS Beachwatch litter surveys indicate that, over the past 10 years, beach litter has increased by 80%.

Impacts on wildlife

Marine litter has a major impact on wildlife through entanglement and ingestion. It is estimated that, globally, over a million birds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles die every year from entanglement, or ingestion of plastics (Laist 1997).

Impacts on marine ecosystems

Marine ecosystems are affected by litter pollution at every level - from tiny microscopic organisms through to the very largest animals such as whales and turtles. Even the most remote and uninhabited sites are affected by litter carried by the wind and ocean currents. This tide of litter appears to be on the increase, as suggested by the Beachwatch and Adopt-a-Beach surveys. The litter found in these surveys is likely to be just the "tip of the iceberg" - no-one knows how much litter is really out there and what effects it is having on our blue planet.

The human cost of litter

Litter not only affects the organisms that live in the sea, but everyone of us. Litter can be a health hazard, a deterrent to tourism, and have economic impacts that includes the fouling of fishing gear and boat propeller entanglement. It also costs UK taxpayers and beach managers many millions of pounds annually in clean-up and disposal.

Click here for more information about beach litter and the MCS anti-litter campaigns.