Marine litter is a serious environmental hazard worldwide. An increasing number of organisations are looking for ways to discourage and reduce the amount of plastics products ending up in the ocean every year.
Plastics South Africa, the representative body of the entire South African plastics value chain, has recently reinforced its commitment to helping protect our marine life from plastic and other packaging materials which are threatening their natural habitats and survival.
The organisation signed The Declaration of the Global Plastics Associations for Solutions on Marine Litter, also known as the “Joint Declaration,” in 2011, bringing forth the serious issue of plastics waste in local marine environments.
Furthermore, it has launched a series of radio and television adverts, also adapted for social media, aimed at educating the public on safe plastics disposal and protective measurements to limit the plastic litter in oceans.
Overall, the campaign has been inspired by The Blue Planet II, a nature documentary series on marine life in which naturalist Sir David Attenborough highlighted the growing problem of litter found in the oceans.
Following the documentary appeal, the adverts focus on marine life, and the impact discarded plastics have on the ocean environment and its creatures – whales, dolphins and seagulls.
The message is clear: Carelessly discarded plastic breaks down into small particles that look like food. When eaten, they harm sea creatures from tiny fish to large whales. Be responsible. Don’t let plastics end up in the ocean.
Fortunately, as awareness increases on the plight of marine littering, effective solutions that prevent pollution on a global scale will need to be developed, and the public will also have to follow suit. Plastics SA’s results of the latest International Coastal Clean-Up show that irresponsible human behaviour causes most of the pollution in the oceans and on our beaches.
Implementing proper plastics recycling measures is also important. According to Plastics SA, more plastics need to enter the recycling stream to maintain their value and be kept safely out of the environment.
Click here to watch a campaign video.
For more information, visit www.plasticsinfo.co.za.
Isowall recycles responsibly. Hebcooler – a range of EPS Cups and tubs under the Isolite brand – is 100% recyclable. In fact, the scrap from the manufacturing of Hebcooler EPS Cups and Tubs and any returned polystyrene are used to make Isowood dado rails and skirting boards.
