The Plastic Free Coastlines campaign is targeting local councils, schools and businesses after new figures show more than 8.3bn tonnes of plastic has been produced since the 1950s, resulting in a “near permanent contamination of the natural environment”.
In this short film by Surfers Against Sewage, narrated by the actress Imelda Staunton, the scale of the plastic waste which coalesces in five major ocean circulation currents in the world is compared to a global nuclear security threat.
The campaign is urging individuals to adopt a five point plan to help create single-use plastic free towns and cities. This includes:
- urging local government to lead change within their areas;
- replacing single-use plastic items, such as straws, plastic bottles or condiment sachets, with sustainable alternatives or removed from local businesses altogether;
- encouraging other organisations to adopt the plastic free message; from Scouts groups to churches and schools;
- arranging community events, for example street or beach cleans and
- setting up steering groups to coodinate the actions.
Towns and cities who act to carry out the five point plan can become Plastic Free Coastlines certified areas – similar to the fair trade towns movement worldwide.
For more information on how you can get involved and to sign up for your free Action Plan to reduce your plastic footprint visit the Surfers Against Sewage website.
An Enchanted Place 