This month’s column is brought to you by Bromsgrove Extinction Rebellion.
PLASTIC is one of the most useful things humans have ever invented.
Unfortunately it is also a massive pollution problem, threatening our environment, wildlife and our own wellbeing.
Plastic in our waterways and oceans is a particular problem. Discarded fishing tackle and other waste poses a direct threat to wildlife which become entangled or mistake items for food.
Tiny ‘microplastics’ are ingested by plankton which in turn are eaten by fish, working their way up the food chain until they are eventually eaten by large animals including ourselves.
A Bromsgrove diver – Mick Marshall – said: “We’ve all seen unsightly plastic waste on our seas and beaches but worse is the damage that we cannot see.
“We know the bodies of dolphins, whales and seals recovered around the UK contain high levels of microplastics ingested from plastics like synthetic fibres from clothing, food packaging and drinks bottle fragments.
“Currently we can only speculate what long-term effects plastic toxins might have on human health.”
Most of these plastics come from domestic and commercial waste blown or washed into sewers and rivers before flowing out to sea.
Too much of our plastic put out for recycling is exported to countries without the capabilities to process it so it too ends up in open waste sites.
The good news is this man-made problem is avoidable.
The Government is considering setting legal targets for reducing plastic waste.
But there’s little information on how much waste leaves UK households and what happens to it. So we need more data and everyone can help!
The Big Plastic Count is calling on households to record all the plastic they put in the waste bin or set out to recycle during the week of May 16 to 22 then submit their results by the end of the month.
Collecting first-hand data is one way we as Citizens can support scientists providing policy advice.
We can help to put pressure on Government, supermarkets, water utilities and big plastic producers.
Indeed, the UK has a proud tradition of Citizen Science.
Over 1million people take part in the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch recording our bird populations – the world’s single biggest Citizen Science project.
Over 100,000 people have already signed-up to help the Big Plastic Count – so why not get involved too? It’s easy.
You can find out more, join the counting team and download your free pack at www.thebigplasticcount.com
For information on Bromsgrove Extinction Rebellion www.xrworcs.org.uk
