UK seabed litter increases 158% in a year
The amount of litter on the seabed around the UK has risen dramatically, according to data from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. Last year saw an average of 358 items of litter per square kilometre of seabed, a rise of 158% from 2015 and of 222% from 1992-94. Of the litter, nearly 78% was plastic, while 6.3% was rubber and 2.7% was metal. The 2016 rise was the first after three years of decreasing figures. The production of plastic is expected to double over the next two decades.

We use some essential cookies to make this website work. We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.