In this part of Hampshire anything which is properly disposed of, into an appropriate bin, reliably goes to recycling or incineration and will not add to the pollution in the sea.
But litter in the streets and by roadsides (especially cigarette filters which contain plastic) is washed down storm drains into rivers and ultimately to the sea.

Another route that our waste gets into the sea is via the sewers. Cotton buds thrown into the toilet, plastic micro-beads in toiletries (now illegal) and fragments of synthetic fibre from the family wash will all eventually get into the sea.

Disposal of cigarette ends

Let’s campaign for more cigarette end bins to be placed where smokers tend to gather. Do you know anywhere where an inexpensive bin screwed to the wall would make a difference? Can you make it happen?