Picking on Plastic

Taking Action with #Beplasticaware

BITA to announce the launch of #Beplasticaware, an initiative of the recently established Global Forum, to increase awareness of the impact of plastic pollution. This will be a longterm focus dedicated to galvanising BITA members and communities through charitable action and organisational dedication to plastic reduction across the world.

Bakelite was the first plastic to be created in 1907, however the real plastic revolution was in in the 1950’s when plastic production was ramped up after new developments in consumption of oil and gas by-products. Initially hailed as the new wonder material, plastic production soared, being considered a cheap, durable, and efficient material for a variety of purposes. Sadly, the inherent durability is now causing the issues that are coming to light.

Plastic is essential to many processes; however, we invite all our members – whether running a business, or just purchasing produce at the supermarket – to consider their choices and investigate other options that may be available. To practice ‘conscious purchasing’.

Not only should we be concerned about the damage being wrought on our natural world, we also need to consider the damage we are doing to ourselves by consuming food contaminated by micro-plastics. Earlier this year scientists announced that they were now able to detect micro-plastics in humans and had found them in all tissue samples they had studied.

It is because of this, and the passion of our members, that BITA chose to launch the new #Beplasticaware campaign by supporting International Coastal Clean Up day on 19th September 2020, during which representatives from BITA took part in beach clean-ups across the British Isles. BITA President Paul Whitnell says; “We all like to walk on a clean beach, however there is so much plastic either being washed out to sea or washing up on shores that we need to take action to clean up the mess.”

Plans for 2021 will be even bigger, and we are working with Waterhaul who have developed a litter picker with all plastic components created from recycled ocean plastic. Waterhaul developed the idea whilst conducting beach cleans along the Cornish coastline. They decided to inspire the volunteers and clean-up experts by constructing clean-up equipment from the materials they were intercepting, rather than adding to the plastic problem.

BITA is excited to be able to offer these litter pickers in our online shop, ready for you to purchase and take action on International Coastal Clean-Up Day 2021 on 18th September!

We will be planning events across the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man and Internationally, to coincide with this event, so if you would like to get involved and be kept up to date with initiatives, please sign up for the #Beplasticaware initiative at https://bita. ie/chapters/global-forum/news/takeaction-with-beplasticaware.html

Leading the charge is Isle of Man Chapter Chair, Brendon Kenny. Commenting on his involvement, Brendon said “Plastic pollution in our oceans now affects us all. We are proud to support the Beach Buddies initiative as part of our #Beplasticaware activity plan. We’ll start at the beaches and work our way in!”.

Although the issues have been highlighted in recent years, we continue to see increasing amounts of primary plastic production – across a multitude of industries.

• Packaging has the top spot, producing 146 million tonnes in 2015

• The construction industry comes in second, producing 65 million tonnes

• Plastic can take up to 1,000 years to decompose

• Textiles were third with 59 million tonnes produced

• Plastic coffee pods take 500 years, and release methane gas as they do – contributing to global warming

• Mismanaged waste leads to micro-plastics in oceans as plastics slowly degrade

For more information: www.beachbuddies.net; www.changingstreams.org; www.oceanconservancy.org