Plastic the enemy, says beach clean up team

THERE was a good turnout of volunteers at the recent beach clean-up at Blue Lagoon organised by Expand a Sign, in tribute to World Environment and World Oceans Day and in support of the Uzwelo Bags’ “Say NO to plastic” campaign.

Kirsty Fonzari, marketing manager of Expand a Sign, said that the event was extremely successful. The teams collected a truck load of rubbish. “What we were really shocked at was the amount of polystyrene on the beach that we picked up along with glass and plastic bottles.”

“As we all know, plastic is cheap and we use it for a plethora of things each and every day without so much as a single thought. We’ve developed a disposable lifestyle. It is far easier to purchase a cheap bag at the till than to take the trouble and a few extra moments before rushing out the door in the morning to bring your own,” she said.

Fonzari said it was time to not only highlight the damage done to the marine environment by plastics but to draw attention to the scourge of polystyrene – another packaging product that is conveniently used to protect big ticket items during transportation but carelessly discarded with little thought for the consequences.

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Like other plastics, EPS degrades and breaks down into small pieces which are mistaken by marine animals for food, with lethal consequences.

“Around 90 per cent of floating marine debris is plastic and, although picking up a few plastic bags may seem a drop in the ocean, it would be meaningful if everyone made cleaning up our beaches a way of life every time they stepped on the beach to enjoy some leisure time. We’re dedicated to not talking about our values, but to living them. Every one of us has a valuable contribution to make, which inspires us to give more of ourselves. It’s about achieving as a team and striving to put passion into process,” she said.

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