ENVIRONMENTAL volunteer and retired Dunster Primary School headteacher Peter Hoyland has been involved in a newly published first-of-its-kind research project on plastic pollution trends across Britain.

Mr Hoyland, who lives in Minehead and is community lead for Plastic Free Exmoor, worked on a collaboration project between Surfers Against Sewage (SAS), the University of Plymouth, ZSL, and the National Geographic Society.

The community-led study has been published in scientific journal Marine Pollution Bulletin and highlights the powerful role citizen science plays in research as well as the need for targeted strategies and policy change to tackle plastic pollution.

Mr Hoyland was among nearly 100 volunteers contributing to the research paper, titled ‘Citizen Science Reveals Litter Trends in the UK: Population Density Effects on Coastal and Inland Regions’.

The work investigates the correlation between plastic pollution and population density, with Plastic Free Communities activists collecting 27,855 items over a five-month survey period from Cornwall to Cumbria.

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Volunteers collected 9,200 pieces of hard plastic and other fragments, 9,150 items of food wrappers and other packaging, and 6,300 pieces of cigarette-related debris, including butts and lighters.

The findings showed the UK’s coastline holds 60 per cent more plastic pollution than inland areas, and coastal areas also saw a significant influx of new plastic waste in comparison.

Mr Hoyland said: “I was keen to take part in the survey because it is only by raising awareness and bringing about societal change, that real sustained change will come.

“To do this, evidence is needed to put pressure on councils and governments.

“I greatly enjoyed being involved in the project and the opportunity it gave me to really focus on the impact of plastic pollution on a short stretch of a cycle/footpath that I and many hundreds of others walk along every week.

“I do not think the amount of litter surprised me.

“Much of what we found was either littered or had blown in from the beach that is just below the path.

“It is great the research has been published, and it feels good to have been involved with something that will add to the evidence we need to bring about real change in terms of our use and acceptance of single-use plastics.

“As a community lead for Plastic Free Exmoor, I am passionate about helping to reduce plastic pollution.

“I see the need to reduce our use of single use plastics as a really important issue and one to which I give as many hours in a week to as I can.

“I believe the vast majority of people appreciate the problem and would like to do something about it but feel overwhelmed by the tide of plastic that surrounds us in our everyday lives.”

Surfers Against Sewage senior communities manager Rachel Yates said: “The project results call for a need for policy change and urgent action to tackle the plastic problem.

“Decision-makers must implement targeted strategies that consider the differences in location highlighted by this research, and measures that tackle the worst pollutants.”