80% fewer carrier bags on UK beaches, data reveals

Data collected by the Marine Conservation Society indicates an 80% decrease in carrier bags found on UK beaches.

The decline follows the introduction of carrier bag charges over the past decade.

According to data from the society's volunteers, the number of carrier bags washing up on beaches has significantly decreased. This development is attributed to the society's advocacy for the implementation of such charges across the UK.

Lizzie Price, Beachwatch Manager, said: It is brilliant to see policies on single-use plastics such as carrier bag charges working. There is no doubt that these policies have been extremely successful in reducing this frequently littered item. But we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. We need broader policies that charge or ban more single-use items where possible such as the proposed deposit return schemes for plastic bottles, cans, and glass. We must move quicker towards a society that repairs reuses and recycles.

The Marine Conservation Society anticipates that this year’s volunteer data will also show reductions in other litter items, including single-use plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, and polystyrene cups and food containers, which have recently been targeted by new policies.