This week’s discussion point from me is about litter pollution in our waterways. We’re in a time where we really need before it’s too late to really focus and think about what products we all use, how much, how easily they can be disposed of, reused or recycled and the use of more sustainable alternatives. In our waterways, plastic litter is a huge problem; it’s not just unsightly but causes huge issues for plant, animal and marine life as well as to anglers, boaters and paddlers such as ourselves. There’s an estimated five trillion pieces of plastic in our oceans worldwide, enough to circle the earth over 400 times and the equivalent of a truckload being emptied into them every minute – that’s over eight million tonnes a year! In the UK, it is thought that if every person who visited and used our canals and rivers picked up a single piece of litter that our waterways would be clear and our oceans cleaner within a year!
What thoughts and solutions do you have on this issue? What steps have you already taken? Has waterways litter ever caused you a problem or have you witnessed first-hand the impact and devastation that it can cause?Share your thoughts below!
For further info, resources, networking, clean up events & #plasticschallenge:
Canal & River Trust: Plastic and litter in our waterways
Marine Conservation Society: https://www.mcsuk.org/
Plastic Oceans: www.plasticoceans.uk
PAP – Paddlers Against Pollution (UK): https://www.facebook.com/groups/454818961393810/
Photo credits to PAP members Rhys Green, Richard Vincent & Ken Oliver and Jules O’Shea, beach cleaner
Linked: Environmental