by Anne MacLennan
Plastic is a problem and there is a lot of it about. Invented (as Bakelite) in 1907, production had reached 2.3m tons annually by 1950, 448 tons in 2015, and is set to at least double by mid-century. The plastic lifecycle aggravates climate change and depending on the additives used, some forms of plastic can last up to 400 yearsin the environment even if its ‘useful’ lifespan was only a few hours or weeks. That unnecessary wrapping you tore off a cucumber is likely to outlast you.
Increased production = increased pollution. Macro and microplastics are in the sea, hedges, entangling or eaten by wildlife, consumed and inhaled by humans to end up in most body tissues. The Marine Conservation Society documents the alarming pollution of UK shorelines annually and makes practical policy recommendations to tackle the issue.
Production of new plastic and the recycling process create ‘nurdles’, tiny plastic particles which are easy to transport and are used as the basis for making products. They can consist of any of a number of common polymers and chemical additives. At less than 5mm, nurdles are a form of microplastic.
Nurdles do a lot of travelling, but as they are so small, numerous, and lightweight, they also leak into the environment depressingly often, estimated at just under ½ million tons each year. The latest reported big spill at sea was due to the North Sea ship collision last month. Nurdles float, moving readily through drains, onto shores and are carried on ocean currents.
Once out and about, nurdles attract and concentrate other chemicals and micro organisms, increasing their toxicity. They are frequently mistaken for food by marine and terrestial wildlife, often leading to injury, starvation or death.
The most effective solution would, of course, be to stop or radically reduce plastic production while clearing up existing pollution, but in the meantime we can make a difference individually and more so by working together. Reduce, re-use and recycle.
Reduce acquisition of plastic, particularly single use.
That’s not always easy, but with awareness, some detective work and determination, it is possible to avoid some packaging by remembering to take your own bags, buying loose fruit and veg if available, and re-filling your own containers with dried foods or washing up liquid for instance. Find out which online companies provide plastic-free packaging. Try making your own household cleaners and toiletries – it’s fun, satisfying and saves money too.
Re-use: what other function could this plastic thing perform?
Recycling usually involves collection, sorting, breaking down the plastics, creating nurdles and making new items. Recycling keeps plastic out of the environment and theoretically reduces the demand for oil and gas needed to make new plastic. Currently about 9% of plastic is recycled. Reasons for this low recycling rate include inadequate use and misuse of available recycling schemes. Soft plastic is collected for recycling in the Skye and Lochalsh Co-ops, but much soft plastic still goes out in general rubbish or finds its way into the environment. Compostable bags cannot be recycled, so putting them into the Co-op’s recycling scheme can mean that all of the genuine soft plastic goes to landfill, so that is a misuse.
Local action?
So – is there interest in forming a local plastic action group? People coming together could bring ideas, frustrations and understanding of the issues, learn how to avoid plastic, how to re-use items and aim to optimise recycling rates for single use and soft plastics. There could be liaison with litter-pickers, the Co-op and other plastic-reliant businesses. Sharing tips and experiences with others is a great way to learn and can help make a real difference in the community.
Feedback welcome!