With a recent survey revealing an estimated eight million tonnes of plastic entering the world's oceans annually, we share five ways you can help make our seas cleaner. Words: James Stewart

1. PICK IT UP
Adopt the habit of bringing a bag (non-plastic) to collect litter on coastal walks.

2. JOIN A BEACH CLEAN
The Marine Conservation Society (mcsuk.org) runs beach cleans year-round.

3. RECYCLE AND REUSE
Poorly disposed landfill accumulates on our coastline. Founder of Riz Boardshorts Riz Smith (pictured below) sees reusing recycled fabrics as ‘good business’.

4. CONSUME SMARTER
Do you really need that coffee cup lid, that plastic shopping bag or that disposable salad fork? Can you buy vegetables individually instead of pre-wrapped?

5. SPREAD THE WORD
So ubiquitous is plastic, most people are blind to the waste in our ecosystem. Tell your friends. Email the consumer services teams of manufacturers guilty of excessive packaging.

Interested in helping the planet? You can read more articles on marine conservation here, or take a look at the magazine

Interested in helping the planet? You can read more articles on marine conservation here, or take a look at the magazine.