Incredible journeys: marine litter across distance and decades

Every piece of litter tells a story. From rivers and drains to beaches and ocean currents, discarded waste embarks on a journey that spans miles and decades. Through dedicated beach cleans and source-to-sea initiatives, volunteers are helping to stop these journeys in their tracks. Protecting wildlife, restoring habitats, and ensuring that the only incredible journeys we celebrate are those made by nature itself.

National Marine Week is the Wildlife Trusts' annual celebration of UK seas. This year’s theme is, ‘Incredible Journeys’. From coastal birds travelling thousands of miles for the nesting season, to species of fish migrating across rivers and seas, our marine environments are shaped by so many remarkable journeys each and every day!

As an active member of the Heritage Coast Partnership, Durham Wildlife Trust regularly leads a range of beach care activities along the Durham Coast. Marine pollution is one of the biggest threats to our oceans’ health – in the last 12 months alone, more than 4,424 hours of action by volunteers has helped Durham Wildlife Trust to remove 2,484 bags of litter from the coast. These beach cleans and source to sea litter picks are vital in preventing litter from entering the sea and protecting our marine habitats. As we celebrate the incredible journeys of marine wildlife, we are reminded that wildlife isn’t the only thing making an incredible journey. Marine litter travels too.

A pile of collected beach litter sits on grass beside a metal fence overlooking the sea. The heap includes blue rubbish bags, tangled ropes, a red plastic crate, tyres, and other debris gathered from the shoreline. Behind the fence, cliffs and a sandy beach stretch into the distance under a bright, partly cloudy sky — a clear reminder of the effort to keep coastal environments clean.

Beach clean: collected litter.

A discarded clear plastic bottle lies among smooth pebbles and sand on a beach, its surface speckled with grains and droplets. The sea stretches out behind under a pale, cloudy sky, with a lone figure visible in the distance near the waterline — a quiet reminder of how litter can linger in natural coastal landscapes.

Discarded bottle on beach.

A close-up view of assorted small plastic fragments and debris collected on a fine mesh surface. The pieces vary in colour — blue, white, yellow, green, pink, and black — and include broken shards, pellets, and a round rubber ring. The image highlights the diversity of microplastic pollution, showing how tiny, colourful fragments accumulate in the environment.

Assorted small plastic fragments of waste from beach clean.

Two deflated, weathered plastic balloons lie on sandy beach ground scattered with small pebbles. The balloons are heart-shaped, partly covered in sand and faint blue colouring, with tangled white ribbons and bits of seaweed attached. The image highlights balloon litter washed ashore, showing how decorative plastics can persist and harm coastal environments.

Two deflated, weathered plastic balloons on beach.

Unlike the natural journeys made by marine wildlife, the journey of marine litter is very different – there are significant consequences for our oceans. Sadly, once litter enters the environment, its journey is often only just beginning. A single discarded plastic bottle can gradually break down over time into hundreds, or even thousands, of smaller fragments known as microplastics. From there, these fragments can be carried by tides and currents throughout the marine environment. Birds, fish and other marine species can ingest these plastic particles whilst feeding, where they can enter the food chain.

Whilst some items of litter are discarded directly on beaches, a significant proportion of the litter found along the coast begins its journey further inland, and carried downstream through rivers, drains, and waterways. Through our Source to Sea initiative, volunteers help to record and target litter at river level too, before it makes its way closer to the coast. Nationally, some of the most commonly recorded coastal litter items linked to inland sources include plastic wrappers, metal drinks cans, and plastic drinks bottles.

A torn blue and red Haribo Maoam candy wrapper lies among smooth pebbles on a beach. The colourful plastic is partly covered in sand, its branding still visible against the natural tones of grey and brown stones. In the background, gentle waves roll onto the shore beneath a bright sky — a striking contrast between human litter and the coastal landscape.

Sweet wrapper on beach

A pile of litter collected on a sandy beach, made up of crushed plastic bottles, aluminium cans, and glass bottles in various colours. Recognisable brands like Pepsi, Foster’s, Red Bull, and Volvic are visible among the debris. The surrounding sand is scattered with footprints and stones, highlighting the impact of discarded packaging on coastal environments.

Litter on beach

A clear plastic cup lies on golden sand near the shoreline, partly filled with grains of sand. Behind it, waves roll gently under a vivid blue sky, with a dark strip of seaweed marking the tide line and a distant pier and lighthouse visible on the horizon. The image captures the contrast between a beautiful coastal scene and the presence of litter on the beach.

Discarded clear plastic cup on beach.

The journey of litter does not only cover incredible distances, it's the age of some of this litter that has surprised us even more, spanning decades! Hidden beneath the sand or uncovered by a storm, recent beach cleans have revealed packaging that has remained in the environment for up to 50 years – including a Quavers crisp packet from 1990s, a Marathon wrapper from before the brand was renamed Snickers, a Coca-Cola can with an old style ring-pull from the 1980s, and even a Fox’s Glacier Mints packet from 1970s. Despite decades spent in the environment, these items remain instantly recognisable, with their bold colours and branding still visible. These wrappers and crisp packets are often made from multiple layers of mixed plastics and foil, which don’t break down easily.

A weathered, rusted Coca-Cola can sits crushed among small pebbles on a beach. The red paint is faded and partly covered in sand, with the old-style triangular ring-pull opening visible on top. The image highlights how long-lasting litter can remain in coastal environments, even decades after being discarded.

Rusted Coca-Cola can on beach.

A faded, weathered Fox’s Glacier Mints wrapper lies flat on sandy beach ground. The vintage design shows a pale blue background with a white polar bear standing on an ice block, surrounded by a circular border. The text “FOX’S glacier mints” and “5p” is still visible despite the creases and discolouration, highlighting how old packaging can persist in the environment for decades.

Vintage Fox’s Glacier Mints packet on beach

An old Quavers crisp pack on beach

Old Wotsits crisp packet on beach.

A gloved hand holds a torn, weathered toothpaste wrapper among pale pebbles. The faded packaging reads “cleans” in bold red letters and “MILD MINT” in smaller blue text, with dirt and wear showing its age. The image highlights how old plastic packaging, even from everyday items like toothpaste, can persist in the environment for decades.

Old packaging found on beach clean.

A torn, weathered Marathon chocolate bar wrapper lies on sandy beach ground beside smooth grey pebbles. The faded design shows blue lettering on a white background with brown accents, partly buried and creased from age. The image highlights how old branded packaging can persist in coastal environments long after being discarded.

Vintage 'Marathon' chocolate bar wrapper on beach.

These finds are a powerful reminder of how long litter can remain in the environment when improperly discarded, and how far litter can travel through the environment before reaching the sea. They also highlight why these beach cleans are so important - not only to prevent litter from continuing its journey to the sea, but to help ensure that the litter we find today does not remain in the environment for another 50 years.

Each piece of litter removed from a natural ecosystem helps wildlife and creates a better space for humans too. You can get involved by volunteering, attending a beach clean or one of our events. All upcoming beach cleans and engagement events are listed on our website. Click the links below to find out more.

Upcoming events

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