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'It's overwhelming': Plastic from 1960s Canada washes up on Orkney beach

'It's overwhelming': Plastic from 1960s Canada washes up on Orkney beach

Summary

Plastic waste from the 1960s and 70s, including items from Canada, has washed up on a beach in Sanday, Orkney. Volunteers cleaning the beach are concerned about the large amount of debris, which is thought to be brought by unusual weather and poses a threat to local wildlife.

Key Facts

  • Plastic bottles and debris from the 1960s and 70s washed up on Howar Sands beach in Sanday, Orkney.
  • The plastic is believed to have come from places like Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
  • Unusual weather with strong south-easterly winds may have caused more old debris to appear.
  • Organizers of beach cleaning efforts, like David Warner, report significantly more litter this year.
  • Estimates suggest there are over 300,000 small polystyrene pieces on a 70 square meter area.
  • The beach is a protected area for nesting birds, and the litter poses a danger to wildlife.
  • The Marine Conservation Society notes that old litter often surfaces due to seasonal storms.
  • The litter includes items with old logos, showing how long plastic can last in the ocean.
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