Thanks to the following organisations for their support of the Action Network:

Why there is a need

What we wanted to achieveWe wanted to bring the issue of marine litter to a whole new audience and put people together who had, or could have, a positive impact on the subject.

We had a vision to set up working groups that would involve people, who manufacture or handle products and materials which can end up as litter, and those who wanted to eradicate it, talking about solutions. We wanted to see the plastics industry rubbing shoulders with conservationists, whilst retailers and businesses looked at how they could reduce their litter impacts and find new ways of using rubbish positively.

Using existing networksMLAN is made up organisations whose individual networks are wide and far reaching. The messages, ideas and solutions that have come about as a result of MLAN could reach a much wider audience than the individual members could have dreamed of.

Potentially MLAN has a reach of over 1.7 million individuals, 38 thousand volunteers and 11 thousand companies, groups and organisations.

These impressive figures are vital for one of the Network’s key aims - behaviour change at all levels.

Litter, trash, rubbish – whatever you call it, there’s no getting away from it. It’s in the sea, it’s on the beach, it gets there in numerous ways and, so far, there’s been no cohesive plan to put an end to its spread.

We set up the Marine Litter Action Network (MLAN) to bring together people and their organisations, from all sectors, to try and come up with solutions to the issue of marine litter.

We set ourselves a target –

a year to make a difference

It was obvious that more needed to be done. A lot was being done but it was fragmented. Trying to create a forum where everything was brought together and where more was made of the sum of the parts, could only add value.

Fiona Wheatley Marks and Spencer

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Why there is a need Founding principles

Collectively all members support a set of ‘founding principles” and believe that:

- Reducing marine litter will positively impact on our livelihoods, economy, and well-being of both people and wildlife

- Governments, businesses and communities must work together to effectively prevent this waste of resources

- We have enough evidence to act and implement solutions now

- Further resource would be helpful to optimise policy, best practice and solutions

- There are some fantastic existing initiatives; but given the growing scale of the issue, urgent and co-ordinated action is needed

- Economic and environmental benefits will follow if we re-think, re-use, recycle and recover materials to improve resource efficiency

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Our members3KQ

Angling Trust

Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities

Axion Consulting

Beachwatch Organiser

British Plastics Federation

British Retail Consortium

British Sub-Aqua Club

Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science

Chartered Institution of Wastes Management

Campaign to Protect Rural England

Department of the Environment (Northern Ireland)

Thames Estuary Partnership

Dirty Beach

Dorset Coast Forum

Durham Heritage Coast Partnership

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

EIA (Environmental Investigation Agency)

Eunomia

Exeter: CALMARE

Fauna & Flora International

Fidra

Fife Coast & Countryside Trust

Global Action Plan

Hubbub

INCPEN

Keep Britain Tidy

Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

Keep Scotland Beautiful

Learn to Sea

LGA Coastal Special Interest Group

M&S

Marine Programme, Defra

Marine Scotland

MCS Sea Champions

National Trust

Nesta

Packaging and Films Association

People and Environment Division, Welsh Government

PlasticsEurope

Plymouth University

Project AWARE

RSPB

Secretariat for North West Coastal Forum

Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB

Rivers Trust

Riz Boardshorts

Thames21

The Crown Estate

TOMRA

UK Beach Management Forum

UK Chamber of Shipping

University of Leeds & Chartered Institution of Wastes Management

Wastebuster

Water UK

World Animal Protection

WWF UK

Zero Waste Scotland

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During the inaugural meeting of MLAN it was clear that the hidden issues of microplastics were of huge concern. There was little doubt that one of the outcomes of MLAN would be linked to reducing microplastics, as three workshops looked at various aspects of the issue, and were quickly amalgamated into one.

Together, the network aim was to encourage as many leading UK companies as possible to stop using microplastics across all own-brand personal care product types - from facial scrubs to toothpastes, soaps to shaving gels.

You don’t need microplastics to have beautiful skin – there are many natural alternatives, which are already being used in a huge range of products already available on the market. Neal’s Yard Remedies, Bulldog Skincare for Men and Green People are just a few of the brands that are proudly championing the fact that they have never, and will never use plastic ingredients in their products.

In the UK, the Scrub it Out! campaign, created out of MLAN has become the public-facing work that directly supports both the Good Scrub Guide initiative and the global Beat the Microbead campaign. Through these long-running projects, conservation organisations have been working constructively and collaboratively with key brands and retailers in the UK and abroad to encourage a phase out of all solid microplastic ingredients from all personal care products.

The first yearWe were very clear at the outset that MLAN would not just be a talking shop – we didn’t want lots of meetings, lots of coffee drinking and then lots of hot air. There would be positive, tangible outcomes.

From microplastics to sanitary waste education, toilets full of unflushables to sustainable beach cafés – there was plenty to discuss and plenty of action to be taken.

Scrub It Out!

What have we been doing over the year?

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Since launching the Scrub it Out! campaign, and with the support of MLAN behind it, we’ve succeeded in securing public commitments to phase out microplastic ingredients, not just from product manufacturers, but also from a wide range of UK supermarkets and high-street retailers who have all made it clear that they will no longer be using microplastic ingredients in their products.

These brands and retailers have publicly committed to phase out microplastics:

- Asda (all own brands)

- Boots (all own brands)

- Clarins

- The Co-operative (all own brands)

- Marks & Spencer (all own brands)

- PZ Cussons (all own Beauty and Personal care brands)

- Sainsbury’s (all own brands)

- Superdrug (all own brands)

- Tesco (all own brands)

- Wilko (all own Health and Beauty brands)

Scrub It Out! continued

We really welcome members’ ongoing support, and hope that they continue to support the campaigns, sharing relevant updates within their networks, as ‘Scrub it Out!’ steps up a gear.

Tanya Cox Fauna and Flora International

Next stepsWe’re waiting for final position statements from a couple of UK retailers, who we’re working with to ensure that the statement covers all solid plastic ingredients across all of their product types - not just their face scrubs.

There is now a huge precedence for positive corporate reactions to this issue - with notable examples from global business leaders setting the way for high street brands and retailers to follow suit. We’re now looking for luxury retailers to make a positive stand as well - at the end of the day, beauty doesn’t need to cost the earth.

What have we been doing over the year?

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World Animal Protection, a global organisation protecting all wildlife, proposed a fishing litter working group to operate alongside their global Sea Change campaign, focused on addressing the impact of fishing litter on marine animals.

MLAN provided the forum to share this new campaign and exchange ideas with experts in marine litter and conservation.

Through the MLAN working group, World Animal Protection sought opinions on tackling fishing litter which allowed them to consult the fishing industry and gain their insight to then feed into the Responsible Fishing Scheme consultation.

Next stepsTheir work on the issue is ongoing and they hope to continue to benefit from MLAN members’ support on both the Sea Change and Global Ghost Gear Initiatives.

Ghostly gear - can we make it disappear?

We’ve launched the Global Ghost Gear initiative, which people I’ve met through MLAN have decided to join. That initiative is a global partnership basically intended to share knowledge and best practice on combating fishing litter.

Christina Dixon World Animal Protection

What have we been doing over the year?

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KEEP SCOTLAND BEAUTIFUL MARINE CONSERVATION SOCIETY

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Robbie Blythe from Fife Coast & Countryside Trust proposed a project to tackle sewage related debris through education in schools.

It was identified that current sex education programmes do not include any information on appropriate disposal of sanitary items – as teenagers don’t readily seek advice from parents on getting rid of such things, flushing these items would be a quick and easy answer!

With the help of MLAN partners and organisations including Keep Scotland Beautiful, MCS received funding from Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), enabling the MCS Education Team to create the Cool Seas Investigators: The Unflushables project.

Between December 2014 and March 2015, the MCS Education Officer worked with teachers and nearly two hundred 12-15 year old pupils at thee pilot schools in Fife, to develop a workshop which dovetails with current sex education lessons and complements the wider curriculum.

WorkshopsThe 50 minute workshop introduces young people to the issue of SRD on our beaches. In groups, students investigate a series of sources to identify the problem, the cause and possible solutions. Following the workshop, students could enter a competition to design a sticker to remind and encourage people to do the right thing with their ‘unflushables’. The winning design is professionally printed and returned to the school to be displayed in their toilets. Local businesses are then brought on board to display the stickers in their toilets as well.

Feedback from staff and students has been really positive, with the majority feeling that they have learned from the workshop and have a greater understanding of the causes and implications of SRD.

Sewage Related Debris (SRD) in early education

The resource will be promoted throughout Scotland at the start of the 2015/16 school year (August 2015) through the media and school networks with support from project partners, Keep Scotland Beautiful.

100% of the staff surveyed after the pilot agreed that they would like to use the resource in the future and that they would be able to do so independently using the teachers’ notes as a guide.

What have we been doing over the year?

I think the workshop is great and I love that there is very little talking at the students and more about them working together to come up with the answers.

Gillian Slider Keep Scotland Beautiful

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Water UK led a very exciting workshop at the inaugural MLAN meeting, looking at the issue of unflushables - the stuff that’s being put down the loo but should go in the bin.

Since then, water companies have been talking to Business in the Community, and the retailers and manufacturers who make and sell baby wipes, to see if there are ways they can work together to help customers understand why baby and face wipes should not make their way down the toilet.

Flushing out the Unflushables

We’re aware that we need to really understand why customers use the loo instead of the bin before we can ask them successfully to stop. So, we are now thinking about the research we need to carry out to make sure that the messages we give out are as effective as possible.

Sarah Mukherjee Director of Water UK

MCS Beachwatch surveys have shown a 50% increase in wet wipes on UK beaches when comparing data from 2013 to 2014 so this is a vital project

What have we been doing over the year?

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Next stepsThe Evidence Group will continue to use the high profile River Thames as one of its major case studies - after all, it flows directly past the decision makers of the House of Commons - with other smaller rivers such as the Dee used to provide additional evidence. The tidal Thames exemplifies the issues faced when monitoring the litter entering the sea, and also the challenges to reduce it.

The group will continue to look at existing evidence from European research on major rivers, with an aim to get a similar project funded in the UK.

Gathering evidence for sources of litter

At the first MLAN meeting it was clear that more work was needed to pull together all the existing evidence of how litter arrives in the marine environment, fill in any gaps and then take that new information forward. One of the key roles the group identified was to gather data and evidence to prove the connection between riverine and marine litter.

In February 2015 the Marine Litter Data and Evidence group – convened by charity Thames21 - piloted an initiative to trial and compare approaches to litter monitoring in the field and at the same time, demonstrate a commitment to working together with organisations across the sector.

Thames21, the Marine Conservation Society and the Wandle Trust in London, along with the Cheshire Wildlife Trust on the tidal Dee, all organised and delivered litter clean up and monitoring activities around waterways between the 14th – 22nd February 2015.

Key to the approach of all four organisations was the involvement of the public in gathering data. One output of the pilot was observing how easy the approaches were for use by ‘Citizen Scientists.’ Trials were completed successfully at each site,

and although different approaches were used, the headline results yield some interesting preliminary data. Headline results show that the largest quantities found were plastics. The second largest category was sewage related waste including sanitary towels, cotton bud sticks and baby wipes. Finally, the Thames21 surveys indicated that different river locations yielded different predominant litter types. The results of Thames21’s Big Count can be viewed here.

What have we been doing over the year?

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Café accreditation scheme

The Café Accreditation Scheme came from network member, Eunomia – an independent environmental and sustainability consultancy.

The idea is to offer an environmental accreditation under the scheme to, in the first instance, beachside, waterfront cafés and restaurants who would be reaching certain criteria that would minimise impact on the environment, particularly related to pollution.

To be accredited cafés and restaurants will have to tick a number of boxes including:

- Charging for single use items or offering money off if customers use their own mugs

- Using metal rather than plastic cutlery; cardboard alternatives to styrofoam for takeaway food

- Not giving out plastic drinking straws

- Recycling bins on the premises

- Sink drainers installed

- No plumbing misconnections

- Bins in every toilet cubicle to prevent the flushing of ‘unflushables’

How will the scheme work?Businesses would pay an annual fee to cover administration costs and they would get a dated certificate and a flag (to be displayed in appropriate locations). We are currently seeking funding to turn this project into a reality.

The work to date is inspirational and shows what can be done, at very small cost, to make a big difference to an issue that affects us all.

Caroline Salthouse North West Coastal Forum

What have we been doing over the year?

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Transforming ocean plastics

Riz Boardshorts are a British, sustainable surf brand that make boardshorts from 100% recycled polyester.

Riz Boardshorts joined the network half way through our ‘year to make a difference’ and held an initial meeting with network members and others who were interested in using plastic waste from our beaches and seas and turning it into textiles.

The company’s goal is to produce a boardshort made from plastics reclaimed from beaches and oceans around the UK by summer 2016.

All the relationships we’ve formed so far will be invaluable for us when we continue to produce these products.

Louise Herring Riz Boardshorts

What have we been doing over the year?

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Working Groups

Improving and Sharing Evidence

Behaviour Change

Product Design / Business

Evidence group for sources of marine litter

Aligning and Influencing Other Initiatives

Microplastic business campaign

Scotland deposit schemes testing

Cleaner Seas Forum

Celtic Seas Partnership

Marlisco

Rame Plastic ConferenceScrub It Out! - microplastic awareness campaign

Café Accreditation Scheme

Unflushables campaign

Sewage Related Debris in early education

Coastal Partnership Network

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management

Marine Strategy Framework Directive

MCS providing regular updates

Transforming ocean plastics into textiles

Common Language Group – Seafish

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To support organisations and businesses in getting to grips with the issue of marine litter and helping them make their contribution to the solution, MCS developed a 10 point action plan.

These 10 points can be adopted to help organisations see how they can reduce their impact on the environment.

The 10 point plan is divided into 3 key areas - company policies, products and customer interactions. The idea is to help organisations set stretching but realistic targets. We are seeking funding to allow us to develop resources to support companies who adopt the action plan.

10 point action plan

Carry out a simple waste audit to find out how much waste you are producing. This will help highlight areas for improvement and provide baseline information to measure change against.

Engage with key internal and external stakeholders on issues central to your business to ensure your plans are integrated, practical yet ambitious. Bring your policies to life by finding innovative ways to engage your employees and report back to them on the impact of any changes. Ensure employees understand the importance of the waste hierarchy of reduce/reuse/recycle, are clearly signposted to recycling receptacles and are encouraged to innovate and suggest solutions.

Publish your environmental social responsibility statement online, including a section which details your approach to dealing with waste (e.g. having a zero waste to landfill policy) alongside annually updated KPI’s and targets (e.g. a policy to increase to 100% recycled and recyclable materials in marketing materials and displays by a set date).

Encourage minimal packaging and maximize reuse or recycling potential of necessary packaging throughout the supply chain. Ensure you adopt this policy throughout your business from concessions to your online offering.

Be aware of the legislation that applies to your business with regard to carrier bags. Where the charge isn’t mandatory, make a voluntary charge for carrier bags and pass this onto a nominated charity. This should be in conjunction with selling a longer-life reusable bag.

Review what products you stock or provide for customers and employees which might be disposed of incorrectly through the sewerage system. Take steps to mitigate this, e.g. stock cotton bud sticks that are made of cardboard and not of plastic. Support preventative measures such as the development of new industry standards defining what products are truly flushable, and back public campaigns to raise awareness of this issue.

Phase out or work with manufacturers in your supply chain to phase out the use of microplastics in health and beauty products.

Educate customers on the vital role they play in keeping our streets and seas litter free. Focus on key issues people can have a positive impact on such as recycling and appropriate disposal of sanitary items.

Ensure tap water is available free of charge. In restaurants/cafés this should be encouraged through appropriate presentation e.g. chilled glass bottles and glasses.

In employee and customer restaurants/cafés have reusable cups, cutlery, plates.

Products

Customer interactions

Company policies

If you are interested in hearing more about the 10 point action plan, please register your interest here

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Marine litter is a global environmental issue and it will take collective action to help resolve it. The MLAN initiative from MCS is helping to tackle the problem head on by bringing together relevant stakeholders from Government and non-governmental organisations, industry and academia.  I have been conducting research on the effects of marine litter and the potential solutions for over 20 years; I am very pleased to be part of MLAN  and am delighted with the progress over the last year.

Richard Thompson Plymouth University

Project AWARE greatly appreciates the opportunity to be involved. We’re looking forward to helping define the future of the Network - whatever it may be - and of course our role in it.

Project AWARE

People often forget that a significant proportion of marine litter originates from land-based activities; furthermore all marine litter is essentially a resource with a value. These are the two reasons why Keep Britain Tidy, and I personally, am involved and fully support the aims of the Marine Litter Action Network.

Tim BurnsKeep Britain Tidy

The Network has brought together those working quietly, and often independently, across the UK to tackle marine and coastal litter consistently. The Network has given us a focus to shout more clearly about what needs to change, to develop ideas on how we can achieve such change, and to deliver new and exciting pilot projects.

Suzanne RobertsKeep Scotland Beautiful

What our members think

This is a valuable communications hub. It has been very professionally established and operated. Whilst we should not expect all the content to be relevant to Northern Ireland it has nevertheless provided excellent updates on activities of interest.

Ian Humphreys Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful

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What’s next?There’s no doubt that the first year of MLAN has made the difference it set out to make. Our projects are showing real success and a number of them are set for the long term. The good news is that members have strongly indicated they want the Network to continue, beyond its original remit of ‘a year to make a difference’.

Even better news is that our lead sponsors Plastics 2020 Challenge, and facilitators 3KQ will be continuing their support as sponsors. If you want to join them and become an MLAN supporter, please contact us.

Our second year will see the network provide a knowledge hub to help facilitate joint working on a variety of solutions, help people connect with each other and share updates on existing and new initiatives. We will hold an annual networking event to allow us to develop valuable face to face relationships. The individual projects will continue as well as the relationships that have been at their heart.

If you’re reading this and you’re not a member of MLAN, but think you or your organisation could add value, then please click here to find out how you can help be part of the solution.

Only by continuing to work together across all sectors will we finally start to see a measurable reduction in marine litter levels. People have been at the heart of making this Network a success, to hear their stories check out our short film.

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Thanks to the following organisations for their support of the Marine Litter Action Network:

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Marine Conservation Society Overross House, Ross Park, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 7US

Tel: 01989 566017 Email: fundraising@mcsuk.org Web: www.mcsuk.orgRegistered Charity No (England and Wales): 1004005 Registered Charity No (Scotland): SC037480

Cover artwork from the Marine Debris Typeface project, kindly provided by Dion Star (www.dionstar.co.uk/Marine-Debris-Typeface)

Image credits: 02 Litter and microplastics © Natasha Ewins; 03 Beach cleans & litter © Natasha Ewins; 05 Hands with scrub © R. Ingle (Fauna & Flora International - FFI), Microplastic samples © Tanya Cox (FFI); 06 Products containing microplastics © MCS, Microplastics on fingers © Tanya Cox (FFI); 07 Entangled seal © Lilias Parks, Fish caught in ghost gear © Dave Peake, Fish and crustaceans caught in ghost gear © Dave Peake, 09 Baby wipe and mixture of SRD © Natasha Ewins, Collection of unflushable wipes & towels © Steve Brooks; 10 Washed up litter from the Thames © Thames 21; 11 Takeaway litter © Alun ap Rhisiart; Disposable ketchup © Michael O'Rourke; 12 Boardshorts © Riz; Bottles © MCS