Plastic Free Preston

Nov, 1 2018

We just wanted to update you on the results from the latest clean at Preston Marina as part of the Autumn Beach and River Clean series by Surfers Against Sewage.

We had a smaller number of volunteers this time, due to a clash with an important local rally, however the clean was still very productive, with a haul of 20 full sacks and 2 tyres, weighing 74 kg total.

This time, we were asked to collect information about drinks containers, to return with all the other SAS cleans results to the government's team developing the proposed deposit return system.  Our haul included over 460 plastic and glass bottles, cans and tetra packs - most were, of course, plastic.

Over the last year, we have lifted 325 kilos of rubbish from the docks estate - well done all!

 There was also a second group who cleaned on the docks and river bank, with a team of girl guides.  They collected a further 16 sacks of rubbish on Sunday 21st, showing there is always a need.

Our clean was one of 481 which took place in October organised by SAS volunteers, with over 20,000 people taking part and in excess of 30 tonnes of plastic pollution diverted from our waterways and seas.

 I was fortunate enough to attend the SAS conference in Cardiff earlier this month, where I met the incredibly knowledgeable Lucy Siegle, the journalist who creates the plastic-free information pieces on the One Show.  She introduced us to Dan, the Everyday Plastics man - I will leave you with a link to his report - he saved his plastic waste for a year and this shows how only 4% could be recycled here in the UK:

https://www.everydayplastic.org/