This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6574355.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Beach litter 'increased by 90%' | Beach litter 'increased by 90%' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The amount of litter on Britain's beaches has increased by more than 90% since 1994, says an annual survey. | The amount of litter on Britain's beaches has increased by more than 90% since 1994, says an annual survey. |
| The Marine Conservation Society's (MCS) Beachwatch survey of 358 areas found an average of two items of litter for each metre (3.3ft) of beach. | |
| Individuals are the worst offenders, either for direct litter-dropping or wrongly flushing items, such as cotton buds, that end up on beaches. | Individuals are the worst offenders, either for direct litter-dropping or wrongly flushing items, such as cotton buds, that end up on beaches. |
| Fishing debris was another key source, accounting for about 11% of litter. | Fishing debris was another key source, accounting for about 11% of litter. |
| The survey recorded litter levels of 1,988.7 items per kilometre (0.62 miles) in 2006, up from 1,045 items per kilometre in 1994 | The survey recorded litter levels of 1,988.7 items per kilometre (0.62 miles) in 2006, up from 1,045 items per kilometre in 1994 |
| MCS said individuals were responsible for more than a third of the litter and many of the top ten items. | MCS said individuals were responsible for more than a third of the litter and many of the top ten items. |
| TOP TEN LITTER ITEMS 1. Pieces of plastic, 1cm-50cm; 13.2%2. Cotton bud sticks; 8.6%3. Pieces of plastic, less than 1cm; 6.2%4. Crisp/sweet/lolly wrappers; 5.6%5. Polystyrene pieces; 5.5%6. Plastic caps/lids; 5.4%7. rope; 4.3%8. Cigarette stubs; 4.2%9. Plastic drinks bottles; 3.9%10. Fishing net; 3.3% Source: MCS | TOP TEN LITTER ITEMS 1. Pieces of plastic, 1cm-50cm; 13.2%2. Cotton bud sticks; 8.6%3. Pieces of plastic, less than 1cm; 6.2%4. Crisp/sweet/lolly wrappers; 5.6%5. Polystyrene pieces; 5.5%6. Plastic caps/lids; 5.4%7. rope; 4.3%8. Cigarette stubs; 4.2%9. Plastic drinks bottles; 3.9%10. Fishing net; 3.3% Source: MCS |
| The number of cigarette stubs - now the eighth most common item found - had steadily increased over the years and had potential to climb even higher as smoking moves outdoors, said the charity. | The number of cigarette stubs - now the eighth most common item found - had steadily increased over the years and had potential to climb even higher as smoking moves outdoors, said the charity. |
| MCS is calling for a UK-wide environmental education campaign to change litter-dropping and flushing habits. | MCS is calling for a UK-wide environmental education campaign to change litter-dropping and flushing habits. |
| Its 2006 report is based on data collected by more than 4,000 volunteers on 358 UK beaches - covering 187 km (116 miles) of coastline - during September 16 and 17 2006. | Its 2006 report is based on data collected by more than 4,000 volunteers on 358 UK beaches - covering 187 km (116 miles) of coastline - during September 16 and 17 2006. |
| 'Never flush it' | 'Never flush it' |
| More than 370,000 litter items were removed during the process. | More than 370,000 litter items were removed during the process. |
| Their figures suggested the top sources of litter were beach visitors, fishing debris, sewage related debris/sanitary waste and shipping litter. | Their figures suggested the top sources of litter were beach visitors, fishing debris, sewage related debris/sanitary waste and shipping litter. |
| Scotland had the highest levels of sewage-related debris, made up of cotton buds, tampons, pant liners and condoms. | Scotland had the highest levels of sewage-related debris, made up of cotton buds, tampons, pant liners and condoms. |
| The density of this kind of litter in Scotland - 694.5 items per km - was more than three times the UK average of 205.9/km, and accounted for 33.2% of all litter in the country. | The density of this kind of litter in Scotland - 694.5 items per km - was more than three times the UK average of 205.9/km, and accounted for 33.2% of all litter in the country. |
| The litter project co-ordinator for MCS, Emma Snowden, said many litter items were not just "unsightly" but were made of plastic which persists for many years in the marine environment. | The litter project co-ordinator for MCS, Emma Snowden, said many litter items were not just "unsightly" but were made of plastic which persists for many years in the marine environment. |
| "This should be such an easy environmental issue to resolve and yet the message is still not getting across - everyone must take responsibility to bag it and bin it - never flush it." | "This should be such an easy environmental issue to resolve and yet the message is still not getting across - everyone must take responsibility to bag it and bin it - never flush it." |