Plastic Ocean

New scientific research claims that just 10 rivers are carrying 90% of the plastic that pollutes our oceans. A study by the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research in Germany cites some of the world's longest rivers (including those that have a large population living alongside) as a major cause of ocean pollution.

The research coincides with news announced on 26th April that more than 40 major companies, including Asda and Coca Cola, have signed up for the new UK Plastics Pact. They have joined the British government, trade associations and campaigners to pledge their support for an environmental campaign to eliminate single-use packaging.

Campaigners say the human race needs to wake up to the fact that people have a huge effect on the environment around them. Everyone needs to take responsibility for disposing of their plastic waste sensibly - it's not just down to the big companies to stop the rising tide of pollution.

Ocean pollution

The ocean is struggling as a result of pollution. It is affecting not only the environment and marine life, but also human health, as pollutants are passed up the food chain and can lead to potentially toxic chemicals in the food we eat.

According to the Centre for Biological Diversity in Arizona, when marine animals eat plastic, they absorb the toxins into their body, which is damaging for the marine life. Then, the toxins are passed up the food chain. When plastics break up in the sea, they can also release chemicals such as Bisphenol A into the ocean and these can also end up in the food chain.

Literally billions of lbs of plastic can be found swirling around on 40% of the world's ocean surfaces. It kills seabirds, seals, sea turtles and all kinds of other marine mammals. They die after ingesting plastic, or by becoming entangled in it.

The problem is so bad today that almost 300 species eat and get tangled in plastic rubbish. Endangered species such as Pacific loggerhead sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals are among the affected.

How does the rubbish get there?

The fact that pollution is rife doesn’t necessarily mean rubbish is thrown directly into the ocean - there are all sorts of different routes it can take before plastic eventually ends up in the sea.

The report by the Helmholtz Centre reveals the Yangtze River in China is the worst offender when it comes to carrying pollutants into the sea. It carries an average of up to 1.5 million tonnes of plastic into the ocean annually.

Another culprit is the Ganges River, running through India and Bangladesh. Millions of people depend on it for their day-to-day needs, as it provides water for 40% of the population in India. Yet it is the fifth most polluted river on the planet.

The environmental centre says most of the rivers that carry large amounts of plastic into the ocean are in countries where waste control could be improved.

Environmental pact

The new UK Plastics Pact is a seven-year programme aimed at cutting plastic pollution. The major companies who have signed up to support the initiative are collectively responsible for more than 80% of the plastic packaging on supermarket products in Britain.

The pact also calls for 100% of plastic packaging to be ready for recycling and composting by 2025. Described as a "once in a lifetime" opportunity to cut pollution, the initiative aims to halt the environmental damage that carelessly discarded plastic is causing. It unites every person, organisation and business with a shared goal to act now on pollution.

Responsible recycling

Here at Solent Plastics, we're doing everything we can to ensure a safe future for our planet. As an advocate for responsible plastic recycling, we understand the importance of the environment and how the use of plastics affects everyone.

We stock a diverse range of recycling, used and recycled plastic products. Our large selection of Euronorm ECO recycled plastic Euro containers is made from recycled polypropylene and is suitable for industrial, commercial and home use.

We also sell a selection of recycling waste bins to help businesses, schools and other organisations with their own recycling efforts.

You might also be happy to know that for the last 2 years, Solent Plastics has switched to protective packaging made from recycled paper. Not only has this saved approximately 100 trees thus far, it also means that we no longer require bubble wrap or any other plastic packaging that ordinarily would have gone in the bin and ended up in landfill.

We also reuse pallet wrap and plastic packaging that is used on deliveries into our warehouse.

Together, we can save our planet!