Plastic pollution

SIR – I was saddened to read about the plastic pollution of Direction Island (report, May 17), part of the Cocos Keeling island chain.

In 1966, I was fortunate to spend several days there as part of a survey party from HMS Victorious, which had been given the task of updating the Admiralty chart for this small, uninhabited island.

Apart from the normal flotsam and jetsam of that time, I have no memory of pollution. It is truly horrifying to read about the appalling desecration of this wonderful remote place in just over 50 years. The report reinforces the critical nature of this threat to our oceans and marine life, and the need to tackle the problem on a coordinated international scale. Alan York

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

SIR – We are all being urged to prevent plastic waste, but many products are still being packed in plastic. The sooner manufacturers are able to find different and cleaner ways of transporting, presenting and selling their products, the quicker we’ll have less plastic waste. Don’t blame it all on the consumer. John Tilsiter

Radlett, Hertfordshire

SIR – Readers have previously complained about supermarkets sticking plastic labels on individual pieces of fruit.

This year we discovered these labels in a sack of sterilised compost destined for our garden. Clearly, supermarkets are sending surplus product to be composted without first removing these labels. May I suggest that they, alongside other plastic products, are at last banned. Mike Crowe

Cullompton, Devon

SIR – In an attempt to reduce plastic waste, may I recommend the use of wheeled shopping bags? Modern designs are light, stylish and insulated, making them ideal for the purchase of loose fruit and veg from markets and the more enlightened supermarkets. Mary Dawkes

Shipston-on-stour, Warwickshire