Don’t let your next cup of coffee add to the rising tide of plastic litter

MARINE litter is a huge problem worldwide and it has such an awful impact on our seas, coastlines, beaches and of course on our wildlife.

Around 8 million tons of plastic bottles, bags, toys and other plastic rubbish ends up in the world’s oceans each year, making up an estimated 70 per cent of total marine litter. In the UK alone, a recent Marine Conservation Society report indicated a 250 per cent increase in plastics washing up on beaches in the past ten years.

Research carried out on the impact of plastics on marine biology in the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), on fulmar birds in Ireland found that 90 per cent had ingested plastics. Fulmar birds studied were often found with their stomach full of plastic litter fragments.

It can take up to 400 years for plastic to break down. That’s a long time to cause a lot of damage – and as well as birds and fish ingesting plastic, when plastic does break down it releases harmful toxins.

So what can we do??

Dispose of our rubbish properly. Eighty per cent of marine litter comes from land based activities. It’s so important to recycle properly.

Even better, cut down on the amount of rubbish we generate in the first place. It’s estimated that around 40 per cent of all plastic is used just once – for example, packaging, disposable coffee cups, water bottles, cutlery, straws etc.

Some countries and cities are starting to act. For example, San Franciso plans to ban the sale of plastic bottles by 2020. France has passed a new law, which will come into effect in 2020, to ensure all plastic cups, cutlery and plates can be composted and are made of biologically-sourced materials.

More and more businesses are acting too. For example, the ‘Bean in Dingle’ café uses compostable cups and lids for take away drinks.

What else can we do? We can get involved – by cleaning our beautiful beaches and coastline.

This week is Coca Cola Clean Coasts Week. There are approx. 26,000 volunteers, over 700 volunteer groups and 300 events already planned and there are many ways to get involved, from taking personal litter home to helping out at a local beach clean events, or becoming more informed at one of the many educational events held around the country. Information of key events can be found on www.cleancoasts.org.

Events in Kerry that took place over the weekend just gone included a yoga session on Sandy Bay Beach in the Maharees – which was just blissful – and a very musical drumming session at Dingle Marina on Bank Holiday Monday. There is a free Zumba session at Fenit Beach this Sunday, June 11, at 2pm and this will be followed by a ‘street feast’ organised by Fenit Development Association.

If you want to get involved in a beach clean this week – Dingle Aquarium staff are planning on cleaning all 13km of beaches on the Dingle Peninsula on the Thursday, June 8 ( World Oceans Day). They need people power, so if you are around and can spare a few minutes or even half an hour to help, every extra pair of hands will make a huge impact! They are taking a two-pronged approach – beginning at both ends and meeting in the middle.

The day will start at 9.30am on Thursday at both the Fermoyle car park (Cloghane end) and also at Spillane’s carpark on the Maharees. You can join in on the day, anywhere in between or for the whole lot. It’s a nice day out, with beautiful scenery while making an positive impact on the environment. For details – contact Dingle Aquarium at (066) 915 2111.

Borg Warner staff are also planning a beach clean at Banna Beach this Sunday morning (June 11) at 10.30am.

To register your own beach clean, or for more information, go to.. cleancoasts.org/our-initiatives/clean-coasts-week/

Behaviour change can make a huge difference – refuse the straw, buy compostable, reusable cups for your coffee, clean a nearby beach or stretch of coastline...

“If you think you are too small to make an impact, then you have never been in bed with a mosquito!”