Plastic Bag Waste on UK Beaches Drops 80% Since Charge

Since the introduction of mandatory fees for single-use plastic bags across the UK the number of plastic bags found on UK beaches has decreased by 80% over a decade. The Marine Conservation Society (MCS) attributes this significant decline to charges that range from 5p to 25p. Their annual litter survey revealed an average of one plastic bag every 100 meters of coastline, down from five in 2014. However, drinks-related litter has increased, highlighting the need for further measures. The MCS urges faster action on reducing single-use items and implementing a deposit scheme for bottles and cans.