07/03/2018

79% Of Plastic Found On NI Beaches - Report

An average of over 500 items of litter have been found on every 100m of beach in Northern Ireland since 2012.

A total of 79% of the litter was plastic, according to the 2017 Marine Litter Report, which has been published by Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful.

Dr Ian Humphries from Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful said: "The damaging effects of littering, particularly of single use plastics that end up polluting our oceans, is clearly highlighted in this year's report, which shows four items of litter for every step that we take along our coast. Thankfully, most people don't litter, and growing awareness and calls for action spell the beginning of the end for this highly anti-social behaviour."

(CD/LM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 March 2003
Clean sweep for Northern Ireland beaches
According to the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) Beachwatch 2002 report, Northern Ireland has less litter on its beaches than the rest of the United Kingdom – despite a small increase in litter volume. Beachwatch is an annual UK-wide beach litter survey and clean up organised by the Marine Conservation Society since 1993.
08 February 2024
Online Business Ideas Gaining Traction In Northern Ireland
Are you looking for a new business venture that can be operated from the comfort of your own home? The rise of the internet has provided countless opportunities to start an online business and reach customers from all over the world.
28 March 2024
Healthy Happy Minds Pilot Project Independent Report Published
The Department of Education has published an independent evaluation of the Healthy Happy Minds pilot project, which was introduced to provide therapeutic and counselling support in primary schools and test approaches which would help inform provision in the longer-term.
02 February 2007
Litter warning to smoke-free Belfast
Extra litter wardens are being drafted in by Belfast City Council to cope with the expected increase in cigarette litter when Northern Ireland goes smoke-free this April.
07 August 2013
Survey Reveals Extent Of NI Beach Litter
Northern Ireland's beaches contain over four thousand pieces of litter for every kilometre, according to a new report.