MCS Report. Marine Pollution.

[oldgit]

The MCS was on on R4 this morning reporting on its findings about the amount of plastic crap that is washing up on our beaches.
30% increase in plastic bottles collected on beaches since last survey.
Suggestion that a small deposit amount is charged on each and every bottle when sold to give it some sort of value to encourage reuse or recycling.Not just on our sea and oceans,have a look at the pop/fancy water bottles lining our river banks or for that matter on the approach to ANY motorway roundabout.
Probably got to be government led and no doubt fierce opposition from vested interests whinging about extra cost burdens.

But something really does need to be done our oceans are just dumping grounds for the products of some industries and its about time they picked up the tab ?

 

[Fantasie 19]

But something really does need to be done our oceans are just dumping grounds for the products of some industries and its about time they picked up the tab ?

I agree something needs to be done, but fining the industry because of their temerity to make a product seems a bit harsh ... it's all about culpability, and taking responsibility, it's not the factory owner/worker/whatever throwing the bottle over the side when he's finished it, it's whoever bought it in the first place...

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

The kind of scum who are happy to lob an empty pop bottle out of their car window or throw it into a river are not going to be remotely encouraged to change their ways by the prospect of receiving tuppence halfpenny when they recycle the thing. In any case, a high proportion of the stuff that turns up on our beaches is rubbish thrown from passing ships

I'm not sure that there is any way around this other than to encourage industries who use non biodegradeable containers to switch to biodegradeable materials and if they can't, minimise the amount of non biodegradeable material used in their packaging. Sometimes, when I buy stuff in a supermarket, I am simply amazed at the amount of packaging that the seller deems necessary to present and preserve their product. Just by way of example, I bought a new Gillette razor the other day which was packaged in a plastic container which was about 3 times the size of the product and made of very thick plastic. Is it necessary to package a razor in this way? I doubt it. I'm sure its all about marketing

 

[boatingdave]

Actually I'm sure that particular example is about 'elf and safety as its a blade and they've gone over the top to protect anyone handling it.

The kind of scum who are happy to lob an empty pop bottle out of their car window or throw it into a river are not going to be remotely encouraged to change their ways by the prospect of receiving tuppence halfpenny when they recycle the thing. In any case, a high proportion of the stuff that turns up on our beaches is rubbish thrown from passing ships

I'm not sure that there is any way around this other than to encourage industries who use non biodegradeable containers to switch to biodegradeable materials and if they can't, minimise the amount of non biodegradeable material used in their packaging. Sometimes, when I buy stuff in a supermarket, I am simply amazed at the amount of packaging that the seller deems necessary to present and preserve their product. Just by way of example, I bought a new Gillette razor the other day which was packaged in a plastic container which was about 3 times the size of the product and made of very thick plastic. Is it necessary to package a razor in this way? I doubt it. I'm sure its all about marketing

 

[omega2]

A keen sea angler I am, and have my own boat, anyone throwing anything other that bait (FOR THE FISH) or food (For the Gulls or Seals, gets fined £1. persistent offenders do not get invited again. There is a bag hanging on the wheelhouse door for the rubbish. No good blaming the local councils or any one else for that matter, It's your crap you attend to it!!, and not at the expense of others having to clear up after you.