A DAWLISH anti-plastic campaigner has taken part in a ground-breaking research project which has been published in a scientific journal.

Vanessa Ryley, a retired teacher and a leader of Dawlish Against Plastic, was among almost 100 community volunteers whose research on plastic pollution has been used as part of an international project.

The collaboration between Surfers Against Sewage, the University of Plymouth, ZSL and the National Geographic Society, included contributions from Vanessa and is the first of its kind research project on plastic pollution trends across Britain.

On taking part, Vanessa said: ‘I was immediately interested in taking part in this research, as I am passionate about reducing plastic pollution in the local environment.

‘Our group undertakes beach cleaning as a regular monthly activity throughout the year, so taking part in the study was a natural progression.

‘I am excited to hear that the research is now published and I’m proud to have been a part of it.

‘I am happy to have been a part of something that will add to the information available to decision makers.

‘Plastic pollution is a scourge on our environment and while we have not acted quickly enough to prevent the already devastating effects on ourselves and our precious environment, we can act now to reduce further harmful effects in the future.’

The community-led research has now been published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, investigating the correlation between plastic pollution and population density.

SAS Plastic Free Communities activists collected 27,855 items over a five-month survey period in 2021, documenting the quantities and types found using a smartphone app.

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

The research highlights the powerful role citizen science plays in research as well as the need for targeted strategies and policy change to tackle plastic pollution.

Rachel Yates, Senior Communities Manager at Surfers Against Sewage said: ‘Surfers Against Sewage has around 700 Plastic Free Communities across the UK, all working on upstream solutions to the plastic pollution crisis.

‘To see nearly 100 ocean activists come together in this huge citizen science project whilst cleaning up polluting items from our coastline, green spaces, streets and mountains is testament to the power of community action and its critical role in research.

‘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.

‘Now more than ever, we must see a reduction in plastic production and a concerted effort to create circular systems in the UK, and beyond.

‘With increasing evidence to the presence of micro and nano plastics in the ocean, water, air, soil and even the human body, it's time to turn up the dial and end plastic pollution and its devastating impact.’