Plastic is ubiquitous. It’s in our clothing, our shoes, our phone, our furniture. We store food in it, we eat and drink from it, we sit on it, we brush our teeth with it. It comes in all colours, shapes and sizes. The reason plastic is ever-present? It’s cheap, it’s convenient, and it lasts. But plastic comes at a cost: plastic pollution.
On a recent trip to the Sunshine coast, my 10 year old son asked if we could go to the Aquarium.
I’m not usually a party pooper but my first thought was not excitement but trepidation and then concern for the animals living in the facility.
Good news! Plastic bans across the world have been hitting the headlines lately. From the US to India and Morocco, governing bodies are taking control of the plastic pollution problem, bringing in either complete bans on plastic, or bans on specific forms like polystyrene.
Australia is home to some of the most stunning beaches in the world - white sand, long stretches of coastline and breathtaking backdrops. But when you're daydreaming of the Great Ocean Road or Bondi Beach, do you include floating plastic debris in your picture-perfect visions?
Last Friday 28/07, state and territory environment ministers met in Melbourne. Plastic pollution was on the agenda - and there was a great deal of hope that NSW and Victoria would finally join the movement to ban single-use plastic bags.
A few weeks ago, Australia took a huge step forward in the fight to protect our oceans from plastic pollution. After enormous public pressure, community organising and hard-hitting campaigning, Australian supermarket giants, Coles and Woolworths both announced – on the same day – that they would ban single-use plastic bags in 2018. An amazing testament to people power.
Water samples from our scientific research expedition show that even the most remote and pristine habitats of the Antarctic are contaminated with microplastic waste and persistent hazardous chemicals.
