We can all play a part in reducing the harmful effects of litter

IT has been an unfortunate consequence of the pandemic that the necessity of protecting ourselves and others from infection by donning personal protective equipment, or PPE, has generated vast quantities of plastic waste.

Disposable face masks and gloves are finding their way into our litter bins, our landfill and, worst of all, the environment.

It is estimated that globally more than 120 billion facemasks and 65 billion gloves are being used every month in the international battle to contain coronavirus.

The scale of single-use plastic is adding to a giant disposal problem that already sees far too much litter in our countryside, on our beaches and in the sea.

The blight of waste in our oceans and washed up along our shores has been increasingly highlighted with concerns about the impact on wildlife and, with microplastics in the food chain, our own health.

So it is encouraging that homegrown marine conservation campaign group Surfers Against Sewage is launching a major initiative to clear some of the unsightly and harmful rubbish from around the Westcountry and across Britain.

The Cornwall-based charity says its ‘million mile beach clean’ will be the UK’s biggest-ever, as part of efforts to tackle the threat of plastic pollution to marine wildlife.

It hopes to inspire 100,000 people to clean up their local beach, river, street or green spaces, clearing a million miles by the end of 2021, getting out locally to tackle litter as lockdown restrictions ease.

Campaigners hope the efforts, starting next month, will not only protect oceans, beaches and wildlife, but also reconnect people with their local environment, helping boost their physical and mental wellbeing.

A survey for the charity found more than half of those asked thought plastic pollution had worsened over the last year. And as Surfers Against Sewage chief executive Hugo Tagholm puts it: “After more than a year of isolation, social distancing and reduced physical activity, the Million Mile Beach Clean reconnects communities with the environment and provides numerous benefits to mental health and physical well-being.”

Sadly as soon as a beach is cleaned, and sack-loads of litter taken away, the next tide brings in more non-biodegradable waste – a significant proportion of which is dumped out of view out at sea.

We have also seen the impact of thoughtless day-trippers leaving behind rubbish on beaches and in parks and open spaces.

One can only hope the campaign helps make a dent in the quantities and reduces the eyesore of littering.

And it needs to be accompanied by a firm message from Government that people must care for the coast and countryside which has become so valued over the last year.

The enjoyment of being in nature or at the beach brings with it responsibilities – above all ensuring that we leave it as we found it.

So as the roadmap out of lockdown sees more of us getting out and about, we ask all to, quite simply, clear up after themselves.