Number of plastic bags found on UK beaches down 80% since charge introduced

Last year’s litter survey found an average of one plastic bag every 100 metres, compared with five every 100 metres in 2014. Photograph: mauritius images GmbH/Alamy

The number of plastic bags washed up on UK beaches has fallen by 80% over a decade, since a mandatory fee was imposed on shoppers who opt to pick up single-use carrier bags at the checkout.

According to the Marine Conservation Society’s (MCS) annual litter survey, volunteers found an average of one plastic bag every 100 metres of coastline surveyed last year, compared to an average of five carrier bags every 100 metres in 2014.