Plastic on beaches down 80 percent after charge

The amount of plastic bags on British beaches has decreased by 80 percent. The success comes after fees were introduced over the last 15 years.

» Published: July 30 2024

Plastic on beaches down 80 percent after charge
Photo: Matt Dunham/AP/TT

Share this article

It is the organization MCS (Marine Conservation Society) that, in connection with beach cleaning days, counts the litter, writes The Guardian. In the latest report, a bag was found per 100 meters of coastline, which can be compared to five bags on the corresponding stretch in 2014.

MCS links the figures to the fees on bags that stores were forced to introduce through new laws in different parts of the country between 2011-2015.

It's wonderful to see that policies against single-use plastic, such as carrier bags, are working, says Lizzie Price at MCS to The Guardian.

However, the organization still finds plastic litter on 97 percent of coastlines, and urges authorities to speed up deposit programs and other measures against single-use plastic.

Sweden introduced a similar plastic bag tax in 2020 and according to the Environmental Protection Agency, it contributed significantly to a sharp decrease in the use of plastic bags already in 2021. The decrease has persisted, the use meets the targets set by the EU and a decision has been made to abolish the tax in the fall.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

French Government Faces Collapse Amid Political Turmoil
4 MIN READ

French Government Faces Collapse Amid Political Turmoil

Two Boys Fatally Stabbed in Melbourne Suburbs
1 MIN READ

Two Boys Fatally Stabbed in Melbourne Suburbs

Deadly Russian Attack Hits Kyiv Government Building
2 MIN READ

Deadly Russian Attack Hits Kyiv Government Building

Chicago Leaders Condemn Trump's Threats as "Repulsive"
2 MIN READ

Chicago Leaders Condemn Trump's Threats as "Repulsive"

Loose Cable Caused Fatal Lisbon Funicular Crash, Investigators Say
1 MIN READ

Loose Cable Caused Fatal Lisbon Funicular Crash, Investigators Say

Family Calls for Health Minister Kennedy's Resignation Over Vaccine Stance
2 MIN READ

Family Calls for Health Minister Kennedy's Resignation Over Vaccine Stance

Car Crashes into French Pizzeria Patio Leaving One Dead
1 MIN READ

Car Crashes into French Pizzeria Patio Leaving One Dead

Over 425 Arrested at Pro-Palestinian Protest in London
1 MIN READ

Over 425 Arrested at Pro-Palestinian Protest in London

Over 50 Killed in Boko Haram Attack in Northeastern Nigeria
2 MIN READ

Over 50 Killed in Boko Haram Attack in Northeastern Nigeria

Hippopotamus Capsizes Boat in Ivory Coast: Eleven Missing
1 MIN READ

Hippopotamus Capsizes Boat in Ivory Coast: Eleven Missing

$1 Million Reward Offered for Capture of Armed Police Killer in Australia
1 MIN READ

$1 Million Reward Offered for Capture of Armed Police Killer in Australia

Gaza Toddler Shamm Finds New Hope with Treatment in Italy
2 MIN READ

Gaza Toddler Shamm Finds New Hope with Treatment in Italy

Russia Boosts Drone Production to 2,700 Monthly
1 MIN READ

Russia Boosts Drone Production to 2,700 Monthly

Hamas Threat to Israel: Analysts Say Eradication Unlikely
7 MIN READ

Hamas Threat to Israel: Analysts Say Eradication Unlikely

Thousands Gather in Milan to Honor Fashion Icon Giorgio Armani
1 MIN READ

Thousands Gather in Milan to Honor Fashion Icon Giorgio Armani

Zelensky Rejects Putin's Moscow Meeting Invitation
1 MIN READ

Zelensky Rejects Putin's Moscow Meeting Invitation

Israel Calls for Evacuation to Contested Humanitarian Zone in Gaza
2 MIN READ

Israel Calls for Evacuation to Contested Humanitarian Zone in Gaza

Norway Election Poll: Red-Greens Lead as Høyre Faces Historic Low
2 MIN READ

Norway Election Poll: Red-Greens Lead as Høyre Faces Historic Low

Large Shark Attack in Sydney Leaves Surfer Dead
1 MIN READ

Large Shark Attack in Sydney Leaves Surfer Dead

Europe Faces Autumn Crisis Amid Trump Tensions
3 MIN READ

Europe Faces Autumn Crisis Amid Trump Tensions