Scientists report ‘heartening’ 30% reduction in plastic pollution on Australia’s coast

Scientists at CSIRO say while coastal plastic pollution is still a global crisis, decisions made at the local level are crucial to changing that. Photograph: Barbara Fischer/Getty Images

The amount of plastic pollution on Australia’s coast has decreased by up to 30% on average as a result of work by local governments to reduce litter, according to research by Australia’s science agency.

Scientists from CSIRO surveyed 183 coastal sites in six Australian states for plastic and other litter, such as glass, in 2018-19.