80% of the litter in our oceans comes from land
The rivers at the heart of our cities flow to the sea, and take with them all the littARRR that is swept, dropped and drained into it.
Treasure Your River is a UK-wide collaboration of litter-busting organisations that set sail to prevent river litter across the UK.
Want to keep your local river in ship-shape condition? You've come to the right place. We’ve pulled together pirate-approved tips to help you Treasure Your River and help protect the seven seas.
The issue
Each year
more than 8 million tonnes of plastic is dumped in the sea (the equivalent of 2.2 million orcas and 11.7 million pirate ships). 80% of this plastic makes its way there from land through rivers and waterways.
UK rivers
contribute to the problem by ferrying litter towards the seven seas.
In the River Thames alone, an estimated 300 tonnes of litter make it's way out to sea each year.
Micro-plastic, macro-problem.
All rivers tested contain high amounts of microplastics (this includes the rivers Clyde, Trent, Severn, Wye, Conwy, and Exe).
During some tests, the River Mersey had a comparatively higher microplastic count than the Great Pacific Garbage patch.
