Tackling Plastic Pollution

As the UK considers a tax on single-use plastics to tackle ocean pollution, The Green Blue have suggested various ways in which boaters can help. By pledging to help reduce marine debris and encouraging others to do the same, the boating community can be part of the solution.

Actions that can be taken include:

• using refillable water bottles and reusable bags
• buying products with less packaging to reduce the carbon footprint
• choosing products without microbeads
• removing plastic cups and straws from disposables
• considering more eco-friendly alternatives such as cutlery and rubbish bags made from corn starch, which can be composted
• taking part in year-round beach and shoreline clean-ups
• finding local recycling facilities at www.recycle-more.co.uk
• not throwing anything over the side, including food
• preventing loose items from blowing overboard
• if you smoke, keeping a butt tin in your pocket for cigarette ends
• not contaminating general waste by throwing hazardous items in the wrong container, e.g. paint tins, oily rags and old electronic instruments
• getting involved, learning more and spreading the word

To find out more about the work of The Green Blue visit: www.thegreenblue.org.uk.