Littering: the effects on wildlife
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By Jo Foster
Littering is deeply affecting our wildlife, with one billion seabirds worldwide are being killed by litter every year and 260 different marine species are trapped in plastic waste on a regular basis.
The RSPCA receives 5,000 phone calls every year regarding animals affected by litter – equating to an average of around 14 reports per day. The UK has the worst record for dropping litter in Europe. In England alone, a shocking 62% of residents have admitted to littering.
Globally, 1.5 million tonnes of plastic waste come from plastic water bottles, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature; and 33% of litter is caused by carelessly discarded fast-food wrappers. Cases of birds and animals being adversely affected by plastic litter have risen by 22% in the past four years alone, according to the RSPCA.
Trapped in plastic packaging
One of the biggest threats to wildlife is plastic packaging. Marine mammals are curious about plastic and, while investigating, they often becom...
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