14/05/2013

Beachwatch Survey Finds Increase In Cigarette Litter

New figures from the Marine Conservation Society (MCS) reveal the number of discarded cigarette butts on UK beaches doubled in 2012.

The survey, which also shows a 90% increase in other smoking related rubbish including lighters and packets, highlights the society’s concerns that anti-litter campaigns are not having an impact.

The annual count of litter on UK beaches, carried out during the MCS’s beachwatch big weekend, also found a 3% rise in sweet and lolly wrappers.

Some 65% of the total litter was made up of plastics, with a average of 75 drinks bottles found for every thousand yards of beaches surveyed.

A statement from MCS Beachwatch Officer, Lauren Eyles, read: ”As we continue to embrace the concept of a throwaway society it’s no surprise that plastic dominates the litter we find.

“Over the last few years we have seen a drop in the number of cigarette butts we’ve found on our beaches but this year that trend has totally reversed.

“That could be a result of more people smoking outside following the ban on smoking in public places. It’s likely that more people are dropping butts outside rather than disposing of them in ashtrays.”

(MH/CD)


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