The Selsey Beach Litter Ninjas said that large amounts of polyurethane insulation, plastic crates, and other materials have washed ashore this week after 16 containers fell overboard from a ship on Sunday.
The group claimed all the clean-up efforts so far have been the work of volunteers, with “no visible action” from authorities.
They added that the debris is rapidly deteriorating, posing a threat to the marine environment along the Sussex coastline.
The group said insulation from the broken containers had been breaking down on the beach (Image: Selsey Beach Litter Ninjas)
In a statement on Monday the group said: “This is an environmental disaster, and time is of the essence.
“Everything collected on West Beach today was cleared by volunteers — nobody official.
“There is still no clear response, no plan, and no visible action from the authorities.
“The polyurethane insulation and plastic crates are breaking apart before our eyes, leaching chemicals and disintegrating into microplastics that threaten Sussex Bay’s fragile recovery.
“We need urgent help, clear communication, proper resources, and a safe disposal plan.
“Right now, far too little is being done, far too late.”
Environmental concerns are mounting about deterioration of the broken insulation potentially posing risks to wildlife, water quality, and the wider ecosystem.
Broken crates have been seen floating in the water (Image: Selsey Beach Litter Ninjas)
The response is being coordinated by the The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which is working with West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service and Sussex Police to enforce cordons around the containers.
The containers are subject to a clean-up operation led by Arun District Council, Chichester District Council and West Sussex County Council.
In a joint statement the councils said: “An environmental management company, Ambipar, has been appointed to lead on the clean-up and is placing skips in the areas where the containers are, (Bognor Regis, Pagham and Selsey).
“The clean-up operation is ongoing and, as yet, there is no confirmed deadline as to when the operation will be complete. However, all agencies involved are meeting regularly to ensure the operation is brought to a close as soon as is possible.”
They added they were grateful to members of the public who had so far helped with clear-up efforts but continued to urge people to avoid the area as there may be fragments of metal along the shoreline.