The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) said drinks-related litter was found on 95% of beaches surveyed across the country. Across the UK and the Channel Islands, volunteers removed more than 600,000 items of litter in total, weighing more than 11,400kg. Plastic bottles were among the top 10 litter items and found on 69% of the beaches surveyed, while metal drinks cans were found on 59% of beaches. Around the UK, English beaches had an average of 151 items of litter per 100 metres surveyed in 2024, down 3% on 2024, while Wales had 73.5 items per 100 metres, which was a 39% decrease on the previous year. In the Channel Islands, 27 pieces of rubbish were picked up for every 100 metres of beach, a 77% decrease on 2024, the report showed.

Source: The Times March 13, 2026 04:06 UTC