蜜芽传媒

Researchers have found that almost half the plastic polluting the world's seas and rivers comes from takeaway food and drink containers.

The scientists analysed waterways around the globe and say that while they weren't surprised plastic made up the majority of the waste they found, they were surprised that so much of it was for takeaways: plastic bottles, cutlery, and food wrappers. Carmen Morales Caselles is the lead researcher from the University of Cadiz. She wants the finding to inform the decisions of policy makers:

"We need to direct the actions... banning all those plastics that are not really needed, and then looking for alternative materials - and as well we have to get more responsibility from companies."

(Photo: A discarded bottle lies on a beach. Credit: Getty Images)