An in-depth study of our coasts and waterways shows just 16 percent are clean.
A study by business group IBAL on litter levels at over 40 beaches, rivers and harbours has found only 1 in 6 were 'clean', while 14% were classed as 'littered' or 'heavily littered'.
IBAL's Connor Horgan says litter which traditionally concerned tourism and business, now has a global significance for our very survival, particularly when it comes to marine litter.