Crusade to tackle plastic in paradise
MY DAUGHTER, Jenevora, and her husband, Fergus, are in one of 60 boats taking part in the Ocean Cruising Club’s rally in the Caribbean. Arriving at what should be a tropical paradise, the San Blas islands off the Atlantic coast of Panama, they were horrified to find that some of the beaches were swamped with the scourge of plastic waste. The boats are collecting as much rubbish as possible because the local practice is to burn it, which is environmentally disastrous. They are delivering it to disposal sites at marinas on the mainland. Jenevora told me the amount of waste and plastic washed up on the beaches is a devastating and unexpected sight. Much of the plastic has sailed across the Atlantic or Caribbean, while some has been dumped on land and ended up floating into the sea. The International Coastal Cleanup campaign is encouraging sailors around the world to collect, recycle and report plastics removed from oceans and coasts where they cruise. Some yachts are not helping the huge waste issue by offering the locals money to burn their rubbish. Much of this ends up being tipped into the ocean or left on the beach. Jenevora came across several bin bags full of cans, bottles, cardboard and plastic dumped on a deserted island. She was appalled that some people can so easily forget how to take care of the ocean and the coastline they so proudly enjoy exploring. So she picked up the bags, sorted and washed the bottles and plastic, and kept the waste on board until she reached a marina with recycling facilities. Waste can even help the local economy because the islanders can make money from recycling cans. A few simple changes really can make a big difference. On her catamaran, Jenevora is filling wide-necked plastic juice and milk bottles with smaller plastic rubbish, such as film wrappers, yoghurt pots and margarine tubs. When full, the top is put back on to contain the smell. Zip-lock bags that have been used to store cheese or fruit in the fridge are rinsed and recycled. She also uses containers to keep food fresh, rather than cling film or foil. I am proud that my daughter is helping to raise awareness and is offering solutions to the plastic problem.
NIGEL SWANN, Milford-on-Sea, Hants.