Scheme highlights harm caused by plastic waste

A LITTER-BUSTING scheme is to be launched this summer to teach youngsters about how throwing away plastic can cause pollution and harm ecosystems and wildlife.

The Mersey Gateway Environmental Trust’s (MGET) Plastic Resolution Project will work with schools and community groups in Runcorn and Widnes with the aim of addressing the issue and its impact on the natural world.

It is due to take place over 12 months and is being led by MGET.

Over the course of the project, MGET will approach schools to offer talks about plastic waste and environmental protection and will plan events to remove plastics from the Mersey saltmarshes.

Paul Oldfield, MGET environment and biodiversity manager, said: “Plastics are a big problem when it comes to environmental pollution.

“A major cause of this is littering and mismanaged plastic waste.

“Plastic bottles and food packaging are often washed into our rivers and travel downstream into our oceans.

“Some of it is deposited on the saltmarsh by the tides.

“Without cleaning the salt- marshes, more and more plastics will accumulate and pollute the local environment.

“It is key to ensure local people, particularly the younger generation understand the importance of caring for the landscape.

“Through education about the pathways of plastics from consumer to our oceans, we can look to trigger positive behavioural changes that could reduce littering in the future.”

Yousuf Shaikh, MGET chairman, said: “MGET is focussed on ensuring that the natural environment around the Mersey estuary can flourish.

“While the roots of the MGET lie with environmental preservation during the Mersey Gateway Project construction, this project is one of many MGET is working on to expand across the 1,600-hectare area of the Upper Mersey Estuary running all the way from the Mersey Gateway Bridge as far as Warrington.

“With projects like this, we can make an impact beyond the boundaries of the Upper Mersey Estuary and set an example for the wider region.”

Schools or neighbourhood groups that want to find out more about taking part should contact MGET at environmentaltrust@ merseygateway.co.uk