The Clean Earth Trust released its fourth annual marine litter report yesterday, covering 2024.
Over the course of the year, 15,373 items were removed from Guernsey’s coastline – an average of 211 items per beach clean.
However, this was in contrast to almost 50,000 found in 2021 and nearly 28,000 found in 2023.
Trust policy officer Paul Bugden said that while the total number of items collected has declined year on year, the number of items found per volunteer hour was increasing, indicating that marine litter was a growing problem.
In 2021 the rate was 23 items per hour, increasing to 28 in 2023 and hitting 33 items per hour last year.
‘The work done by our wonderful volunteers to protect our marine environment is reflected in our 2024 report,’ said Mr Bugden.
‘Every beach clean conducted adds to the valuable data that can help inform policy change on the island.
‘One concerning trend is the high levels of cigarette butts, which contain plastic in the form of cellulose and numerous toxins, which can be fatal to wildlife.’
The report analyses data collected during beach cleans carried out by schools, businesses, Duke of Edinburgh participants, and individuals.
The top five items found have remained similar over the last few years, with plastic pieces and cigarette butts always being the top two.
In 2024, 2,476 cigarette butts were removed from beaches, an average of 33 per beach clean.
The trust called last year for a beach smoking ban and held meetings with public health officials as part of its campaign.
Mr Bugden said that this was still a work in progress.
‘Liaising with Public Health is on the agenda now they have published their survey results showing huge public support for smoking bans in public spaces,’ he said.
‘If people know smoking is banned they are mostly law-abiding and will comply. Knowing fines may be enforced will be a further incentive.’
A Health Improvement Commission survey published in March 2025 showed that 61% of islanders would support a ban, compared to 24% against.
France has recently joined a number of countries banning smoking on beaches with new laws coming into force in July this year, although compliance was inconsistent.
The trust calculated that £235,220 could have been raised by fines for each cigarette-related littering offence.
The number of beach surveys was well down in 2024 compared to 2023. Mr Budgen said more were expected in 2025 following the recruitment of additional volunteers and a marketing programme with businesses.
‘The public beach cleans have increased in number thanks to funding,’ he said.
‘The next one is at Grandes Roques on September 20, from noon, and we would love islanders to join us.
'Corporate cleans have gone well too, with four this week alone.
‘If you want to get involved, join one of our public beach cleans, host a corporate beach clean, or volunteer as part of your DofE. Dates and locations for our public beach cleans can be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages.’
The full report can be found at www.cleanearthtrust.org.
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