According to Marine Conservation Society (MCS)’s latest annual litter survey, volunteers now find an average of only one plastic bag every 100 meters of coastline, compared to five per 100 meters back in 2014. This significant finding highlights the success of the charging scheme, which ranges from five pence (close to one cent) to 25 pence (close to 50 cents) depending on the region.
The charge was first introduced in Wales in 2011, followed by Northern Ireland, Scotland and England over subsequent years. In 2021, the fee was increased to 10 pence (close to 20 cents) in England and Scotland, while Northern Ireland’s fee stands at 25 pence. Wales also has plans to ban single-use plastic bags altogether by 2026.
“It is brilliant to see policies on single-use plastics such as carrier bags working,” said Lizzie Price, Beachwatch program manager at MCS.
MCS also noted that despite this progress, other types of plastic litter such as drink bottles and wrappers are on the rise, calling out further action to tackle other single-use items and accelerate the rollout of deposit schemes for plastic bottles and cans.
The upcoming Great British Beach Clean, scheduled for September, will see thousands of volunteers across the UK working to continue these efforts. The event is a testament to the power of community action and effective policy in improving environmental health.
This milestone in reducing plastic waste on UK beaches is a crucial example of how targeted legislation can drive meaningful environmental change, showing potential for similar measures around the world to combat plastic pollution.
Australia is known for one of the most spectacular beaches and pristine coastlines in the world. In our previous article, we talk about some simple ways you can do your bit to reduce pollution in our waterways and protect their vital ecosystems.
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