Plastic from 1960s Canada Found on Orkney Beach
Plastic bottles and debris, believed to have originated in Canada and dating back to the 1960s and 70s, have been washing up on the shores of Howar Sands in Sanday, Orkney.
Litter pickers have expressed feeling "overwhelmed" by the volume of plastic collected along the shoreline over recent weeks.
David Warner, who coordinates beach cleaning efforts, reported gathering 42 plastic bottles from the beach last year, but has already found hundreds this year alone.
Weather Conditions and Origins of Debris
Experts attribute the surge in "retro rubbish" to "fairly extraordinary weather" conditions, particularly strong south-easterly winds that have transported debris across the sea.
Warner, aged 35, noted that some of the plastic bottles discovered on Sanday appear to have originated from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
He expressed concern that even greater amounts of debris may wash ashore in the future.
"We haven't hit rubbish from the nineties and noughties, so that's going to be extortionate amounts," he said.
Based on the density of polystyrene particles found in one square metre, Warner estimated that over 300,000 pieces are scattered across a 70 square metre area.
Impact on Cleanup Efforts and Wildlife
Speaking to BBC Radio Orkney, Warner described the sheer volume of rubbish on the beach as "quite overwhelming."
"It's the first time since cleaning the beaches I've been overwhelmed by it," he said.
"Usually I clean the beaches with a group of volunteers and we'll make a good go at it and it'll seem clean after it. Then we'll go three months later and the rubbish is back and we're like 'OK, that's fine, it is what happens at least we'll get it out the sea'. But this time, the sheer amount, and the fact that there were so many polystyrene pieces that were so tiny meant that it was impossible to pick them up."
The beach is designated as a site of special scientific interest due to its role as a nesting ground for birds, and the litter poses a hazard to local wildlife.
Marine Conservation Society and Local Perspectives
The Marine Conservation Society explained that historic litter often washes ashore during this season because of seasonal storms, and that eroding coastal landfill sites contribute to the release of "retro" rubbish.
Spokesperson Catherine Gemmell stated:
"Litter, especially plastic litter, never disappears and can last a very long time in the marine environment and also travel across oceans."
John Berry, representing the Scottish Islands Federation and Greener Orkney, said he was not surprised by the increase in litter on Sanday.
"We've got the really clean beaches [in Orkney] but we've got some really dirty beaches as well," he added.
"I'm really not surprised to see that, with a slightly different weather pattern, that we're getting a lot of the old legacy material."
"But we will clean it up in spring. And next year, it will be back. So we will do the exercise again."
Community Initiatives and Awareness Efforts
Despite the discouraging situation, Warner aims to foster a positive response by establishing an official beach cleaning group where participants can share notable finds.
Rubbish arriving on the island originates from many distant locations; for example, a decapitated doll from Japan was once found among the debris.
As a member of the Sanday Community Craft Club, Warner is also exploring the possibility of using collected plastic to create an artistic sculpture that highlights the issue.
Warner emphasized the pervasive nature of plastic in daily life and the importance of awareness.
"We can't escape plastic. I use plastic, it's inescapable. I just want people to be aware when they do buy plastic, think where it's going to end up.
Even if this rubbish isn't our rubbish per se, it's somebody's rubbish, and then where is our rubbish going? It's just more about awareness, and trying to buy less if you don't have to."
