Action Against Litter newsletter – Issue 10

Microplastics in our marine ecosystems

Why it matters:

Thanet’s beautiful coastline is under threat from a largely invisible pollutant: microplastics. These are tiny plastic fragments under 5mm in size that start out as larger litter, like food wrappers, cigarette butts), synthetic textiles, and even personal care products.

How they get there:

Much of the litter discarded inland – whether dropped on the street, flushed down toilets, or blown from bins – can eventually reach rivers and seas, where it breaks down under sunlight and wave action. Even biodegradable plastics can take decades to degrade fully, and often leave behind microplastic residue.

The local picture:

Surveys along the Kent coastline have shown microplastics present in shellfish and sediment, posing risks to marine biodiversity and potentially human health through seafood consumption.

Common sources around Thanet include:

• Discarded cigarette butts (which release microfibres and toxic chemicals).
• Plastic bottles and packaging left on beaches or in parks.
• Synthetic clothing fibres released during washing.

What’s being done:

• Beach cleans help intercept plastics before they break down into micro-debris.
• Thanet District Council has supported refilling opportunities, with more drinking water fountains introduced this year at Ramsgate and Broadstairs to cut down on single-use bottles.
• Local schools and community groups are including plastic-free campaigns into environmental education.
• Government legislation is progressing toward stricter regulations on microplastic pollution, including bans on some cosmetic microbeads and wet wipes.

What you can do:

• Use a washing machine filter to trap microfibres.
• Bin your butts – one cigarette can pollute up to 1,000 litres of water.
• Use a reusable cup. Plastic Free Thanet, a community-led campaign to stop single-use plastic on our streets and beaches, has developed a cup bank scheme that will provide reusable cups to local coffee shops, events and festivals.
• Join a beach clean to remove plastic waste before it breaks up.

Together, we can work to prevent plastic pollution before it gets swept out to sea.