Abundance, Composition and Trends of Beach Litter
Background
The reduction of marine litter pollution is one of the great environmental challenges facing society today. Under its North-East Atlantic Environment Strategy (NEAES) 2010 - 2020, OSPAR had the strategic objective “to substantially reduce marine litter in the OSPAR Maritime Area to a level where properties and quantities of marine litter do not cause harm to the coastal and marine environment”.
One of the indicators currently used at OSPAR level to assess marine litter pollution is the “Abundance, composition and trends of marine litter washed ashore and/or deposited on coastlines, including analysis of its spatial distribution and, where possible, sources”, referred to as “beach litter”. The indicator, also used in the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), reflects spatial differences and temporal changes in abundance, composition and sources of marine litter in the coastal environment and is used as a proxy for litter pollution in the OSPAR marine environment.
The present assessment describes beach litter quality status and trends in the OSPAR Area. To provide a snapshot of the current situation, litter abundance and composition were assessed from 2018 to 2020 and current trends over a six year period, from 2015 to 2020. All parameters were calculated using median-based robust calculation methods which are representing the most typical pollution situation without being influenced by extreme values1.

Beach Litter in Norway © Bo Eide
To complement the present report, factsheets were elaborated to provide key results at both OSPAR Area and OSPAR Region scales. Specific factsheets were also prepared for MSFD-country sub regions to support European Union (EU) Member States in their MSFD reporting.
Beach litter is defined by OSPAR as any persistent, manufactured or processed, solid material discarded, disposed of, from inland or abandoned in the marine and coastal environment, and encountered on beaches. A part of this litter originates from the sea, through deliberate or accidental losses from vessels (including cargos and waste), and is transported to, and deposited on the coast from the sea by winds, waves and water currents. Another part is directly deposited on the coast - e.g. by beach users - or is the result of fly-tipping. Litter is also deposited further inland on riverbanks, directly into rivers, in urban areas and in the countryside and is subsequently transported by rivers, rain and wind into the marine environment and onto beaches. In addition, sewage infrastructures discharge litter items directly or indirectly, via rivers and sewage outlets into the sea and these items can be washed ashore.
The present report aims at assessing in OSPAR Maritime Area and Regions: (i) marine beach litter quality status, (ii) current beach litter trends and (iii) extent to which OSPAR objectives have been achieved.
To do so, it provides an assessment of the abundance, composition, distribution and trends of marine litter washed ashore and / or deposited on coastlines of the OSPAR Area. The total litter abundance, based on median values (hereafter refered to as medians1), reflects the magnitude of the pollution in adjacent waters and coastal areas. Composition shows how common the different litter types (e.g. string and cords, cotton bud sticks, caps and lids, cigarette filters) or litter material categories (e.g. plastic, wood) are. Composition is assessed using medians, and if appropriate percentages, of individual litter types or litter categories. The distribution highlights regional specificities that can relate to regional differences in sources, activities, human habits and transport mechanisms (through ocean current, tides, wind, buoyancy of items, etc.). Trends in the abundance of total litter, individual litter types or litter categories (e.g. plastics, single-use plastics, maritime related items) reflect changes in the level of pollution.
The report also provides information on the coverage of both the OSPAR Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (ML RAP) 2014 - 2020 and European Directive 2019/904, also known as the Single-use plastics Directive (SUP), by assessing percentages of litter directly targeted, or not, by these two measures.
It also assesses the adequacy of the OSPAR beach litter survey list by evaluating percentages of litter which are identified by the list, non-identified, and those which are non-identifiable because they are too fragmented.
The present assessment relies on survey sites distributed in the five OSPAR Regions, as presented in Figure a. Only sites with a sufficient number of surveys and / or long enough time series are included (Table a). For the beach litter status assessment from 2018 to 2020, 1 137 surveys collected on 114 survey sites are considered. For the trends assessment from 2015 to 2020, 1 693 surveys collected on 83 sites are considered. These data represent the most extensive set of fit-for-purpose beach litter monitoring data in the North-East Atlantic.
Figure a: Locations of the 114 OSPAR survey sites considered in the assessment. Available via: https://odims.ospar.org/en/maps/?layers=ospar_beach_litter_survey_sites_2022_06_001,ospar_inner_boundary_2016_01_002,ospar_outer_boundary_2016_01_001
Table a: OSPAR beach litter survey sites considered in the assessment and associated data availability. Purple cells indicate years and surveys which are not used in the assessment and / or highlight when a survey site is not included in status or trend analyses.
Survey site reference number | OSPAR Region | Country | Survey site name | Number of surveys available | Inclusion in status assessment (Yes/No) | Inclusion in trends assessment (Yes/No) | ||||||
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | Total number of surveys considered | ||||||
DE001 | Greater North Sea | Germany | Sylt (island) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
DE002 | Greater North Sea | Germany | Scharhörn (island) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
DE003 | Greater North Sea | Germany | Minsener Oog (island) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
DE005 | Greater North Sea | Germany | Juist | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
DE006 | Greater North Sea | Germany | Sylt Hörnum North | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | Yes | No |
DE007 | Greater North Sea | Germany | Mellum West | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | Yes | No |
DE008 | Greater North Sea | Germany | Juist Wilhelmshöhe | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 12 | Yes | No |
DK001 | Greater North Sea | Denmark | MSFD Nymindegab Strand | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
DK004 | Greater North Sea | Denmark | MSFD Skagen Skagen Strand | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
DK006 | Greater North Sea | Denmark | MSFD Limfjorden | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 8 | Yes | No |
DK007 | Greater North Sea | Denmark | Risoe-Roskilde | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES001 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | A Lanzada | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES002 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Baldaio | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES003 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Valdevaqueros beach | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES004 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | O Rostro | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES005 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | La Vega | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES007 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Agiti | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES008 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Menacoz | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES010 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Covas | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES011 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Castilla | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 22 | Yes | Yes |
ES012 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Castilnovo | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 21 | Yes | Yes |
ES013 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Oyambre | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
ES014 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Spain | Rodas | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
FR004 | Greater North Sea | France | Les Basses Falaises | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | Yes | No |
FR015 | Greater North Sea | France | Le Mont St Frieux | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
FR016 | Greater North Sea | France | Les Boucaniers | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 16 | Yes | Yes |
FR021 | Greater North Sea | France | Les Dunes | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 16 | Yes | Yes |
FR022 | Greater North Sea | France | L'Hôpital | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | Yes | No |
FR006 | Celtic Seas | France | Kourrijou | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
FR007 | Celtic Seas | France | Koubou | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
FR008 | Celtic Seas | France | Kerizella | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
FR011 | Celtic Seas | France | Larmor | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
FR012 | Celtic Seas | France | Trielen | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 22 | Yes | Yes |
FR019 | Celtic Seas | France | La Grandville | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
FR020 | Celtic Seas | France | La Grève des Courses | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
FR027 | Celtic Seas | France | Le Cosmeur | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | Yes | No |
FR002 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Le Stang | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 7 | Yes | No |
FR017 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | La Barre | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
FR023 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Donnant | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | Yes | No |
FR031 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Pen Loc'h | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | Yes | No |
FR032 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Boëd | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | Yes | No |
FR033 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | La Marche aux Bœufs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | Yes | No |
FR035 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Les Selliers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | Yes | No |
FR038 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | La Cornerie | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | Yes | No |
FR039 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Les Trois Pierres | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | Yes | No |
FR040 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | La Baie de Gatseau | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | Yes | No |
FR042 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Le Grand Crohot Sud | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | Yes | No |
FR043 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | La Pointe du Teich | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 9 | Yes | No |
FR044 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Le Banc d'Arguin | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 10 | Yes | No |
FR045 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | France | Le Wharf | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 9 | Yes | No |
IR001 | Celtic Seas | Ireland | Long Strand | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
IR002 | Celtic Seas | Ireland | Silver Strand | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
IR003 | Celtic Seas | Ireland | Carnesore | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
IR004 | Celtic Seas | Ireland | Clogherhead - South | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
IS002 | Arctic Waters | Iceland | Budavik | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 13 | Yes | Yes |
IS003 | Arctic Waters | Iceland | Bakkavik | 0 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 16 | Yes | Yes |
IS007 | Arctic Waters | Iceland | Vikur | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | Yes | No |
NL001 | Greater North Sea | Netherlands | Bergen | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
NL002 | Greater North Sea | Netherlands | Noordwijk | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
NL003 | Greater North Sea | Netherlands | Veere | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
NL004 | Greater North Sea | Netherlands | Terschelling | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
NO005 | Greater North Sea | Norway | Kviljo | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 12 | Yes | Yes |
PT001 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Praia da Barra | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT004 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Ilha de Faro | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT005 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Batata | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT007 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Cabedelo | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
PT008 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Osso da Baleia | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT009 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Amoeiras | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT010 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Fonte da Telha | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT011 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Monte Velho | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT012 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Barranha | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 23 | Yes | Yes |
PT014 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Paredes de Vitória | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | Yes | No |
PT015 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Furadouro Sul | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 10 | Yes | No |
PT016 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Aberta-Pedrogão | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | Yes | No |
PT017 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | Baleal Leste | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 11 | Yes | No |
PT019 | Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast | Portugal | São Félix da Marinha | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 8 | Yes | No |
PT018 | Wider Atlantic | Portugal | Areia - Corvo - Azores | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 | Yes | Yes |
PT020 | Wider Atlantic | Portugal | Almoxarife - Faial - Azores | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
PT021 | Wider Atlantic | Portugal | Praia do Norte - Faial - Azores | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
PT022 | Wider Atlantic | Portugal | Praia da Maia - São Miguel - Azores | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
PT023 | Wider Atlantic | Portugal | Pedreira - São Miguel - Azores | 0 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 13 | Yes | Yes |
PT024 | Wider Atlantic | Portugal | São Lourenço - Santa Maria - Azores | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
SE004 | Greater North Sea | Sweden | Haby | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
SE005 | Greater North Sea | Sweden | Edsvik | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
SE006 | Greater North Sea | Sweden | Saltö | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
SE007 | Greater North Sea | Sweden | Grönevik | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
SE008 | Greater North Sea | Sweden | Edshultshall | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
SE009 | Greater North Sea | Sweden | Gröderhamn | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
UK011 | Greater North Sea | United Kingdom | Cramond Beach | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 22 | Yes | Yes |
UK043 | Greater North Sea | United Kingdom | Jubilee Beach | 5 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 25 | Yes | Yes |
UK047 | Greater North Sea | United Kingdom | Kinghorn Harbour | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 19 | Yes | Yes |
UK048 | Greater North Sea | United Kingdom | Formby (Freshfields) | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 16 | Yes | Yes |
UK049 | Greater North Sea | United Kingdom | Robin Hood's Bay | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
UK050 | Greater North Sea | United Kingdom | Saltburn | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 19 | Yes | Yes |
UK002 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Tan-y-Bwlch Beach | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 22 | Yes | Yes |
UK020 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Sand Bay | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 24 | Yes | Yes |
UK021 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Langland Bay | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 20 | Yes | Yes |
UK025 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Ardglass | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 | Yes | Yes |
UK026 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Ballyhornan | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 | Yes | Yes |
UK028 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Ballywalter | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 | Yes | Yes |
UK031 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Hazelbank | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | Yes | No |
UK032 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Kilkeel North | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 20 | Yes | Yes |
UK033 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Portavogie | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 19 | Yes | Yes |
UK034 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Rathlin | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
UK035 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Rostrevor | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
UK036 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Runkerry | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 17 | Yes | Yes |
UK037 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Tyrella | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
UK038 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | White Park Bay | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
UK039 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Tal-y-Foel | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | Yes | Yes |
UK045 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Lunderston Bay | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 18 | Yes | Yes |
IM001 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Castletown | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | Yes | No |
IM002 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Douglas | 0 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 9 | Yes | No |
IM003 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Kirk Michael | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 8 | Yes | No |
IM004 | Celtic Seas | United Kingdom | Ramsey | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 8 | Yes | No |
The assessment follows OSPAR’s beach litter monitoring and assessment methodology, which is described in OSPAR’s Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme (CEMP) guidelines on marine monitoring and assessment of beach litter (OSPAR Agreement 2020-02). This methodology advises surveying four times a year fixed 100 m beach sections, on which all beach litter items (> 5 mm) visible on the sand surface, are collected, identified and counted using the OSPAR survey list (Figure b). It is important to note that selection of survey sites is not made randomly and results can only be regarded as representative for the group of beaches monitored.
The assessment of beach litter pollution is based on time series of abundance of individual litter types, litter categories and total count of litter items recorded on OSPAR beach litter survey sites. Non-identifiable meso-plastic fragments (5 mm to 2,5 cm) are not included in the assessment because they are monitored with less accuracy, due to their small size and the occurrence of very high numbers on some beaches (Hanke et al., 2019). Only identifiable litter types and macro-litter fragments (> 2,5 cm) are considered in the present assessment.

Figure b: Example of litter collected during an OSPAR beach litter survey (beach “Le Stang”, France, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast Region, 09/01/2020, photo by Cedre).
It is important to appreciate the dynamics of beached litter to understand what assessments of beach litter data can tell us. In between any two beach litter surveys, litter items that have been washed ashore by tides or deposited directly on to the beach can be buried, washed or blown away again by subsequent tides and winds. Also during strong wave action buried litter items can resurface (Tudor and Williams, 2004) and litter can be blown onto a site from adjacent land or streets. Therefore, the number of litter items recorded during one survey generally constitutes a minimum value for litter being deposited at the site. However, on beaches in small bays, enclosed for example by rocky promontories, the dynamics of litter is different. Such sites can trap litter, which is subsequently only redistributed within the bay by waves and wind action. Therefore, the number of litter items recorded during a survey could potentially represent litter accumulation over time.
The composition of litter recorded on beaches also reflects its ability to reach the shore. The litter washed ashore is biased towards litter items that float and those that do not disintegrate, dissolve or decay quickly in the marine environment. The main category of litter found on beaches is plastic (also named artificial polymer material), which often floats and does not disintegrate rapidly in water (OSPAR Intermediate Assessment 2017; Addamo, 2017). The main components of the other common categories all float and/or decay slowly (wood, bottles, jars, light bulbs, tins and cans). Metal and glass from seaborne sources, are therefore probably under-represented because they are more likely to sink than items made of plastic, rubber and wood. Paper is probably also under-represented because it will generally disintegrate more rapidly in water than other materials. This significantly reduces the likelihood of environmental harm caused by paper litter. On beaches used intensively for recreation, the greater part of beach litter is often composed of items abandoned by beach visitors (e.g. sweetand fast-food packaging and cigarette butts) rather than litter washed ashore.
Confidence assessment
In the present assessment, there is high confidence in both the methodology and data availability except for the Arctic Waters Region where data are limited, especially for trends assessment.
Sites and surveys
The survey sites of the OSPAR Beach Litter Monitoring Programme are located on the North-East Atlantic coasts of Denmark (including beaches in East Greenland and Faeroe islands), France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom (Figure a).
In the present assessment, only survey sites with sufficient data availability were included to ensure a robust assessment. In total, 114 out of the 211 survey sites registered in the OSPAR Beach Litter Database are considered. Survey sites were selected according to the decision scheme presented in Figure c. For the beach litter status assessment (from 2018 to 2020), only sites with at least three surveys per year over two years are selected (114 sites with 1 137 surveys). For the trends assessment (from 2015 to 2020), only survey sites with at least two surveys per year over five years are included (83 sites with 1 693 surveys). In general at least three surveys per years are needed and available (Schulz et al., 2017), but the use of two surveys per year allows to include more data for the Arctic Waters Region. A detailed list of sites and surveys included in the assessment are presented in Table a.

Figure c: Decision scheme for inclusion of survey sites in the beach litter assessment
The surveys are carried out according to OSPAR’s Coordinated Environmental Monitoring Programme (CEMP) guidelines for marine monitoring and assessment of beach litter. Collected data are reported in the OSPAR Beach Litter Database.
The beaches, on which the survey sites are situated, mainly comprise sand or gravel and are exposed to the open sea. They are in most cases accessible to surveyors all year round for surveying and litter removal. However some sites, such as in the north of the OSPAR Area (Arctic Waters Region), are not accessible or not possible to survey during the winter survey period. For this assessment, a minimum of two surveys per year has been allowed for Arctic areas but a minimum number of three surveys per year will be used in the future. The beaches have a minimum length of 100 m, are generally free of buildings all year round, and are (in most cases) not subject to litter collection activities (beach cleaning). National coordinators of the surveys have used expert judgement and local knowledge of coastal areas when selecting the survey sites. For example, in some countries local conditions do not allow for selection of beaches mainly comprising sand, and in some locations it is not possible to select beaches of 100 m in length. The start and end points of the survey sites are marked clearly and registered into the OSPAR Beach Litter Database, to ensure that exactly the same site is monitored for all surveys.
Litter sampling and classification
According to the Beach litter CEMP guidelines, at each survey site, all litter items should be recorded four times a year using the OSPAR beach litter monitoring protocol. The survey periods are as follows: winter (between mid-December and mid-January), spring (April), summer (between mid-June and mid-July), and autumn (between mid-September and mid-October). However, due to limitations dictated by weather conditions, availability of manpower etc. not all survey sites included in this analysis have been surveyed as regularly as this for the whole period (see Table a). Some survey sites have only recently been added to the monitoring programme and surveys on other sites have been discontinued.
During each survey, the number of individual pieces of litter is recorded and allocated to one of the 112 predefined litter types, identified with a unique OSPAR identification number (ID), which are in the OSPAR beach litter survey list (Table b).
The survey list allows for the registration of identifiable items, unknown items and litter fragments in different size categories. Litter items which do not fit into a definite litter type category, are registered under the litter types “other” for the given material or use category (e.g. litter type “other plastic/polystyrene items”, OSPAR ID 48). Multilingual photo guides are available to assist surveyors with the identification and categorisation of litter items. All litter items are normally removed from the beach during the survey.
Paraffin and other chemicals, which - although included in the OSPAR Beach Litter Database - are recorded using a different method than for litter items, are not analysed here.
Assessment method
The assessment method used in the present report is described in the Beach litter CEMP guidelines and is briefly described below. Non-identifiable meso-plastic fragments (5 mm to 2,5 cm) and waxes/other pollutants are excluded from the analysis.
For the present assessment, each litter type is classified:
- according to its material composition as defined in MSFD recommendations (MSFD Technical Group on Marine Litter – TG-ML., 2013): Artificial polymer material (also known as plastic), Rubber, Cloth / Textile, Paper / cardboard, Processed / worked wood, Metal, Glass / ceramics and Undefined;
- as either Single-use plastics (SUP), Maritime-related plastic items (SEA) or other items. The attribution to the SUP category relies on the attribution defined in MSFD recommendations (MSFD TG-ML Online Photo Catalogue of the Joint List of Litter Categories). The SEA category is based on the FISH category defined in MSFD recommendations (Hanke et al., 2019), except that non- plastic items are excluded. In addition, the name “FISH” was replace by SEA as “FISH”appears to be too restrictive knowing the category also includes aquaculture-related items. It must be noted that some slight differences exist between SUP and FISH MSFD categories and the SUP and SEA categories used in the present assessment due to differences between OSPAR and MSFD beach litter survey lists.
- as litter type either directly targeted or not by existing measures, specifically OSPAR ML RAP 2014 – 2020 and EU SUP Directive 2019/904.
- as either identified litter type, non-identified litter type, and non-identifiable plastic fragments. Identified litter types include all items which can be identified and attributed to defined litter types. Non-identified litter types include all items which do not correspond to existing litter types in the OSPAR survey list and are recorded in “other” categories. Non-identifiable plastic fragments correspond to plastic fragments which are too fragmented to be identified.
Categories attribution for each litter type is detailed in Table b.
Analyses were performed using the software package litteR (Walvoort et al., 2021) and Excel.
Calculations were performed using median-based robust statistical methods which are appropriate (i) for the skewed beach litter data distributions (Schulzet al., 2017, 2019) and (ii) to support decision-making as they provide a snapshot of the typical situation without influence of extreme events. It must be noted that median values are in general lower than mean (average) values, because the extreme values are excluded from the calculations. In addition, median values of all individual litter types do not directly add up to a Total Count value, and adjusted calculation methods are needed to combine median values (see e.g. the calculation of median-based percentages below).
Status is assessed over a three-year period (from 2018 to 2020) and trends over a six-year period (from 2015 to 2020).
Analyses were done at beach scales and results were aggregated at higher spatial scales (OSPAR Maritime Area and Regions) using the blocking method (Van Belle and Hughes, 1984). In the present assessment, it is considered that at least three sites are needed to make calculations at an aggregated scale. If fewer than three sites are available, results should be used with care and are considered to be indicative (with lower information). This is for example the case for trend results in the Arctic Waters Region I.
At survey site scale, abundances were assessed by calculating the median of survey data for a single site and trends were assessed by calculating slopes and associated p-value using the median-based Theil-Sen method.
At higher scales (OSPAR Maritime Area and Regions), abundances were assessed by calculating the median of medians obtained for each survey site and trends were assessed by calculating the medians of slopes obtained for each survey site and the p-value of aggregated survey sites.
All percentages were calculated by dividing the median of a selected litter group by the sum of all litter groups considered (e.g. percentage of Artificial polymer material is obtained by dividing the median of Artificial polymer material by the sum of the medians of all material categories).
Top 10 or Top 15 litter types were assessed based on ranking of medians of individual litter types.
Most widespread litter types were also identified by ranking litter types according to the number of survey site Top 10 they are present in).
Medians and trends were calculated for specific items targeted by OSPAR’s Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter (ML RAP) 2014 – 2020: plastic bags, cigarette filters, cotton buds sticks, hunting cartridges and balloons.
The methods used to calculate abundances, percentages, trends and Top 10 at the survey site and higher scales are summarised in Table b.
Table b: OSPAR beach litter survey list and associated categories attribution. Measures considered are the ML RAP 2014 – 2020 and the EU SUP Directive 2019/904.
OSPAR ID | Litter type | Included in Total Count | Single-use plastics (SUP) | Maritime-related plastic items (SEA) | Identifiable ? | Targeted by measures? |
ARTIFICIAL POLYMER MATERIAL (PLASTIC) | ||||||
5 | 4/6-pack yokes | x | x |
| identified | not directly targeted |
2 | Bags | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 44 SUP Directive |
3 | Small plastic bags | x | x |
| identified | not directly targeted |
112 | Plastic bag ends | x | x |
| identified | not directly targeted |
4 | Drinks (bottles, containers and drums) | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
5 | Cleaner (bottles, containers and drums) | x | x |
| identified | not directly targeted |
6 | Food containers incl. fast food containers | x | x |
| identified | not directly targeted |
7 | Cosmetics (bottles & containers) | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
8 | Engine oil containers and drums < 50 cm | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
9 | Engine oil containers and drums > 50 cm | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
10 | Jerry cans | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
11 | Injection gun containers | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
12 | Other bottles, containers and drums | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
13 | Crates | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
14 | Car parts | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
15 | Caps/lids | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
16 | Cigarette lighters | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
17 | Pens | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
18 | Combs/hair brushes | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
19 | Crisp/sweet packets and lolly sticks | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
20 | Toys & party poppers | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
21 | Cups | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
22 | Cutlery/trays/straws | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
23 | Fertiliser/animal feed bags | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
24 | Mesh vegetable bags | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
25 | Gloves (typical washing up gloves) | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
113 | Gloves (industrial/professional gloves) | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
26 | Crab/lobster pots | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
114 | Lobster and fish tags | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
27 | Octopus pots | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
28 | Oyster nets or mussel bags incl. plastic stoppers | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
29 | Oyster trays | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
30 | Plastic sheeting from mussel culture | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
31 | Rope (diameter more than 1 cm) | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
32 | String and cord (diameter less than 1 cm) | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
115 | Nets and pieces of net < 50 cm | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
116 | Nets and pieces of net > 50 cm | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
33 | Tangled nets/cord/rope and string | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
34 | Fish boxes | x |
| x | identified | not directly targeted |
35 | Fishing line (angling) | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
36 | Light sticks (tubes with fluid) | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 SUP Directive |
37 | Float/Buoys | x |
| x | identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
38 | Buckets | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
39 | Strapping bands | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
40 | Industrial packaging, plastic sheeting | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
41 | Fibre glass | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
42 | Hard hats | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
43 | Shtogun cartridges | x |
|
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 48 |
44 | Shoes/sandals | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
45 | Foam sponge | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
117 | Plastic/polystyrene pieces 0 - 2,5 cm |
|
|
| excluded | excluded |
46 | Plastic/polystyrene pieces 2,5 - 50 cm | x |
|
| non-identifiable | not directly targeted |
47 | Plastic/polystyrene pieces > 50 cm | x |
|
| non-identifiable | not directly targeted |
48 | Other plastic/polystyrene items | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
64 | Cigarette butts | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 48 SUP Directive |
97 | Condoms | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
98 | Cotton bud sticks | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 48 SUP Directive |
99 | Sanitary towels/panty liners/backing strips | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
100 | Tampons and tampon applicators | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted SUP Directive |
101 | Toilet fresheners | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
103 | Containers/tubes | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
104 | Syringes | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
121 | Bagged dog faeces | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
RUBBER | ||||||
49 | Balloons, incl. plastic valves, ribbons, strings etc. | x | x |
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 48 |
50 | Boots | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
52 | Tyres and belts | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
53 | Other rubber pieces | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
CLOTH | ||||||
54 | Clothing | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
55 | Furnishing | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
56 | Sacking | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
57 | Shoes (leather) | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
59 | Other textiles | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
PAPER / CARDBOARD | ||||||
60 | Bags | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
61 | Cardboard | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
118 | Cartons e.g. tetrapak (milk) | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
62 | Cartons e.g. tetrapk (other) | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
63 | Cigarette packets | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
65 | Cups | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
66 | Newspapers & magazines | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
67 | Other paper items | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
PROCESSED / WORKED WOOD | ||||||
68 | Corks | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
69 | Pallets | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
70 | Crates | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
71 | Crab/lobster pots | x |
|
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 |
119 | Fish boxes | x |
|
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 |
72 | Ice lolly sticks/chip forks | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
73 | Paint brushes | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
74 | Other wood < 50 cm | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
75 | Other wood > 50 cm | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
METAL | ||||||
76 | Aerosol/Spray cans | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
77 | Bottle caps | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
78 | Drink cans | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
120 | Disposable BBQs | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
79 | Electric appliances | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
80 | Fishing weights | x |
|
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 |
81 | Foil wrappers | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
82 | Food cans | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
83 | Industrial scrap | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
84 | Oil drums | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
86 | Paint tins | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
87 | Lobster /crab pots and tops | x |
|
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 |
88 | Wire, wire mesh, barbed wire | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
89 | Other metal pieces < 50 cm | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
90 | Other metal pieces > 50 cm | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
GLASS AND CERAMICS | ||||||
91 | Bottles | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
92 | Light bulbs/tubes | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
93 | Other glass items | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
94 | Construction materials e.g. tiles | x |
|
| identified | not directly targeted |
95 | Octopus pots | x |
|
| identified | directly targeted RAP action 35 |
96 | Other ceramic/pottery items | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
UNDEFINED | ||||||
102 | Other sanitary items | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
105 | Other medical items (swabs, bandaging etc.) | x |
|
| non-identified | not directly targeted |
Table c: List of statistical indicators calculated at each geographical scale and corresponding calculation methods
Beach litter indicator | Survey site scale | Higher scales (OSPAR Area and Regions) |
---|---|---|
Abundance | Median of survey site data for the three-year period from 2018 to 2020 | Median of survey sites medians |
Percentage |