The UK’s Marine Conservation Society (MCS) has released its latest annual State of our Beaches report, which finds that plastic pollution remains a persistent problem across the UK’s beaches.
The charity has also developed a new interactive data dashboard which scientists, policymakers and members of the public can use to examine the scale of the problem.
Last year, almost 15,000 volunteers recorded 603,963 pieces of litter across UK beaches, with a combined weight of nearly 12 metric tonnes.
On average, volunteers found 141 pieces of litter for every 100 metres of coastline surveyed. Plastic items from food containers to tiny fragments were found on 99.5 per cent of all UK beaches, totalling 87 per cent of all litter recorded by the volunteer beach cleaners.
Drinks containers were among the worst offenders, found to be present on 95 per cent of all beaches surveyed.
The three most commonly found items were the same across England, Wales and Northern Ireland:
- Small plastic fragments, found on 86 per cent of beaches
- Single-use plastic wrappers, such as crisp, sweet and sandwich packaging, recorded on 80 per cent of beaches
- Plastic caps and lids, present on 83 per cent of beaches
‘The persistent and widespread presence of plastic shows what a problem this is around our coastline,’ said MCS Beachwatch Manager, Lizzie Price.
‘The evidence collected by our volunteers is vital as it helps us understand the true scale of pollution and strengthens the case for smarter, more effective policies to protect our seas.
‘Every volunteer who records what they find plays a crucial role in driving that change, helping to achieve a cleaner, safer future for our ocean.’
For many marine species, plastic isn’t just pollution – it’s a serious threat to life. Sea turtles, seabirds and fish commonly ingest plastic thinking it’s food.
If swallowed, such items can obstruct their digestive systems, leaving them unable to eat and, ultimately, die of starvation.
Larger items, such as ropes and discarded fishing gear, can entangle animals, causing injury, exhaustion and, in many cases, death.
Additionally, plastic doesn’t biodegrade, but breaks down into smaller particles known as microplastics, which are now known to contaminate every part of the ocean, at all depths.
They quickly make their way into the food chain and put marine life at risk through the harmful chemicals they contain, some of which will find its way onto human plates through the consumption of fish and shellfish.
There is some positive news, however, as the MCS report signals signs of progress, as average litter levels across the UK dropped by 15 per cent between 2024 and 2025, and the presence of single‑use plastics fell by 18 per cent.
The charity says it believes that this is strong evidence that policies such as the carrier bag charge and ban on single‑use plastic cutlery are making a measurable difference.
For over a decade, players of People’s Postcode Lottery have helped fund the Marine Conservation Society’s beach cleaning programme.
‘Beach cleans do much more than remove waste – they generate vital data that reveals the true scale and sources of marine pollution,’ said Laura Chow, Head of Charities at the People’s Postcode Lottery, which helps fund the beach cleans.
‘Each and every survey completed by Marine Conservation Society volunteers feeds into long term evidence that helps identify where waste is coming from and how we can tackle it at its source.
‘It’s inspiring to see funding from players of People’s Postcode Lottery driving this vital effort. Every item recorded is another insight that brings us one step closer to plastic-free seas.’
The Marine Conservation Society gathers beach clean data all year round, a third of which is collected during its flagship Great British Beach Clean event, which this year will take place from Friday 18 to Sunday 27 September.
More information on how to get involved in a Marine Conservation Society beach clean, or organise your own, can be found on the charity’s website.
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