Surfers Against Sewage has released images of retro rubbish found during their recent community beach cleaning activities around the UK, highlighting how long these substances take to break down once discarded.

The latest retro rubbish treasures were unearthed during the successful SAS Big Spring Beach Clean Initiative.

Over 130 beaches were cleaned this spring about the initiative by an amazing 3,500 volunteers. As well as finding these retro rubbish treasures, SAS communities helped remove an amazing 30,000 kilograms of litter

The rubbish includes vintage Golden Wonder crisp packets dating back to 1967 and 1968 and a Revels packet from the 1980s.

The retro rubbish has been dated by SAS using sell by dates, on package promotions and using manufactures' archive departments.

Discovering litter from the 60s in almost pristine condition helps reinforce the important anti-litter campaigns promoted by Surfers Against Sewage.

A plastic bottle can take between 450-1,000 years to break down, with SAS saying this highlights the problem of industry continuing to use single-use plastics to contain their products.

The campaigners are also challenging industry with their award winning campaigns and calling for amends to weak legislation to better protect the environment. This summer SAS will release a new Marine Litter report challenging Government to take dramatic actions to reduce marine litter levels around the UK.

SAS's Break The Bag Habit campaign has recently led to the adoption of a charge for single-use bags. Forecasts suggest bag use will reduce by over 75 per cent and with 7.6 billion single-use bags handed out at English check outs it is hoped that this will deliver a significant reduction in bag litter around the country.

To support the campaigns, find your nearest beach clean or become a member visit www.sas.org.uk