This month is Plastic Free July, a global movement that helps millions of people to be part of the solution to plastic pollution by choosing to refuse or buy or use single use plastics.
Tony Harrington, Director of Environment at Welsh Water, gives us his thoughts on single use plastics, their impact on our environment and what we can all do to make a difference.
“The impact of plastic pollution on our environment has been highlighted over the past few years across the media and within government and has rightly gained huge interest globally. Whether it’s macro-plastics like discarded fishing gear and plastic bags or micro-plastics like those that come off clothes in the wash, plastic pollution is a problem we need to address urgently.
“We can all play our part in the war on plastic by refusing to buy or use single-use plastics and choosing reusable products or non-plastic alternatives. However, to make a real difference and for manufactures to take notice, legislation such as that issued by the European Union this month is needed.
“The EU’s Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive came into effect on 3rd July which means that at least some common items made with single-use plastics are now banned or required to have additional labelling highlighting that they contain plastic. This includes cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws and stirrers, balloons and sticks for balloons, food containers, cups for beverages, beverage containers, cigarette butts, plastic bags, packets and wrappers, wet wipes and sanitary items.
“Although this Directive does not apply in England or Wales (yet), it’s very promising to see that the EU has included comment on cotton bud sticks, wet wipes and sanitary products. These items are frequently flushed down toilets and contribute to the 20,000 sewer blockages our waste team deal with every year. The plastic they contain doesn’t break down in the system and causes sewers to block, which can lead to environmental pollution.
“If everyone who uses wet wipes swapped from those that contain plastic to those that are cellulose based and accredited by the Fine to Flush logo, it would make a huge difference to the health of our sewers and local environments. So, here’s hoping that the Welsh Government will be taking this into consideration while reviewing its own Single-Use Plastics Consultation. We expect the outcome later this year.”