Spain dumps 126 tonnes of plastic into the Med every year

SPAIN dumps more plastic into the Mediterranean every year than any other country except Turkey, according to a new study.

The Aquae Foundation says data from the European Parliament Studies Service, Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund reveals Spain is responsible for 126 tonnes of plastic finding its way into the Med annually.

Turkey dumps 144 tonnes, Italy 90, Egypt 77 and France 66.

Plastic represents 95 per cent of the residues found in the Mediterranean; between 20 and 54 per cent of the planet’s microplastic plastic particles of less than five milimetres diameter are floating about in the Med.

Scientists say 134 Mediterranean marine species are affected by ingesting microplastic, including fish, marine birds, turtles and mammals like bottle nosed dolphins and sperm whales