Response to Marine Conservation Society Beachwatch 2009 Survey Results

Statement on behalf of the Plastics 2020 Challenge for use by the media as commentary on the MCS release

“Whilst we could rigorously debate the outcomes and the methodology used in collating the data behind Beachwatch 2009, we agree with the MCS that the amount of rubbish, including plastic litter, found on UK beaches is unacceptably high and that measures need to be taken to address this growing issue.

As well as being unsightly, plastics litter represents a huge waste of precious resources that could be re used, recycled or converted to create much needed energy. There is no need for any plastics to end up in the marine environment. The MCS data supports our own findings that the problem is a hard wired combination of insufficient waste infrastructure, poor management of the waste stream and a consumer culture that still litters without consideration. The challenge is to address all three issues simultaneously and on a global level.

The Plastics 2020 Challenge is in dialogue with the MCS in order to determine and push for agreed strategies and practical measures that can be applied in the UK to achieve early results. These might include better waste facilities in ports, more bins on beaches that are emptied more regularly in high season and better enforcement of illegal dumping at sea of waste. We agree with the MCS that much of this is a matter for international, national and regional government.

Finally we do not agree with the MCS that there is any peer reviewed scientific evidence to support its supposition that plastic fragments have been known to attract toxins or that litter is providing a new method for toxic chemicals to be passed up the food chain to human consumers. But we agree that more research needs to be carried out in this area for the avoidance of any doubt. “

ENDS