Plastics

By Jim Romahn

Apr. 22/26

 

Plastics cleanup reveals progress

 

There has been a 16 per cent decline in plastic bags and three per cent in plastic utensilsd reports the Ocean Wise organization in Vancover.

But these gains are also being offset by increases in items not covered by current regulations, it said in its annual rreport.

The number of coffee cups and lids found by volunteers rose by 19 per cent, emerging as a growing source of shoreline pollution.

Ocean Wise conducts ocean coast trash pickups.

“The data shows what happens when policy targets specific items, and also what happens when it doesn’t,” said Jennie Moushos, interim chief executive officer of Ocean Wise. 

“We’re seeing clear progress, but the rise of items like coffee cups and lids shows that the current list of banned items needs to be expanded urgently.”

Vonteers removed more than 13,445 kilograms of waste from waterways last year.

 

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