Beach clean-up event highlights plastic pollution

VOLUNTEERS, including Llanelli’s MS and MP, Lee Waters and Nia Griffith, have helped to highlight plastic pollution, which directly affects wildlife on beaches.

The local politicians joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society for a clean-up at Llanelli Beach.

During one hour, 581 items of rubbish were collected, with pieces of plastic making up over 450 of those – 78% of the total collection.

Litter from members of the public made up 40.96% of what was collected, a figure that could have been avoided if rubbish had been put in the bins provided.

Following the beach clean, the Marine Conservation Society provided an analysis of what was collected. Lee Waters said: “In the time we were there we collected 13kg of rubbish, a stark amount.

“What was more worrying was the sources the items came from.

“We have a beautiful coastline in our local community, and it is up to all of us to look after it and protect it.

“Children and animals could have easily been hurt by some of the items we collected, especially the plastics and metal.”

Angie Contestabile, of the Marine Conservation Society, added: “In one hour, our volunteers found over 450 plastic items on a 100-metre stretch of Llanelli Beach.

“Some of this can be easily recognised as drinks bottles and cotton buds, but other plastic litter has been broken up into small fragments that marine mammals often mistake for food.

“We found 12 wet wipes and 64 cigarette stubs on this small stretch of the beach.

“Wet wipes cause damage to sewer systems and the plastic components in them, and cigarette filters get into riverbeds and oceans, putting both marine and human lives at risk.

“The fish that consume them die and humans are at risk of disease from eating seafood from these waterways.”

Nia Griffith MP said: “This survey shows clearly just what a big problem plastics are, especially as they

ban their use or in our own personal choices.

“I am supporting Labour MP Fleur Anderson’s Bill to ban the use of plastics

Volunteers, including Llanelli’s MS and MP, Lee Waters and Nia Griffith, joined forces with the Marine Conservation Society for a clean-up at Llanelli Beach.

in wet wipes and am very supportive of our Labour Welsh Government’s plans to ban a number of single-use plastic items.”

are so harmful to marine life, so we should be looking at all possible ways to cut down on the use of plastics, whether that is through laws to

During one hour, 581 items of rubbish were collected, with pieces of plastic making up over 450 of those – 78% of the total collection.