Volunteers boost efforts to tackle plastic in the River Mersey
Plastic Free Mersey volunteers have been working in partnership with environmental charities to survey and clear plastic litter from the River Mersey to make it healthy for people and for wildlife.
The Plastic Free Mersey project, which was launched in 2021 and is led by environmental charities Mersey Rivers Trust and Thames21, has brought together companies in the polymer and packaging value chain, NGOs, academic scientists and communities to collaboratively address littering within the Mersey catchment. Volunteers have recorded the litter they have found and recycled the items that were recyclable.
Since 2021, the Plastic Free Mersey project has achieved the following:
- 26 volunteers have surveyed 26 sites across the Mersey catchment.
- 8223 pieces of litter have been collected during these surveys.
- 476 bags of litter (around 2.4 tonnes) have been collected during 12 litter picks with volunteers and partners’ employees.
- On average 78 per cent of the recorded waste collected from a majority of the river survey sites was plastic.
- Plastic food packaging were the most numerous plastic items, followed by sanitary items, cigarette butts/filters, paper and plastic bags.
The publication of the data follows a successful Plastic Free Mersey event, which took place on 12th June at The Lowry in Salford, and hosted local authorities and project partners.
Chris Coode, CEO at Thames21, said: “Plastic Free Mersey has been a great success, and we are incredibly proud of the progress achieved in such a short time. Plastics have no place in our rivers or natural environments.
“While the volume of plastic waste we’ve found is alarming, the positive impact of our collective efforts is extremely encouraging. Everybody has a role to play in tackling plastic litter. We would like a multi-stakeholder approach of action. No single tool will fix this pervasive issue. Plastics manufacturers need to continue working to make their operations and processes more sustainable and reduce plastic waste. We need policymakers to turn the tables of the system and we need consumers to come on board and be mindful.
“Tackling plastic pollution requires everyone to play their part. No single tool will fix this pervasive issue. Plastics manufacturers must adopt more sustainable practices and reduce waste. Policymakers need to implement robust regulations that transform how we manage waste and consumers conscientious choices to support these efforts.”
John Sanders, Co-Director at Mersey Rivers Trust added: “Thanks to the hard work of our volunteers, we now have a much clearer picture of the extent of plastic pollution in the Mersey rivers. We are now using this evidence to work with partners and local communities to identify actions to stop plastic pollution of our rivers.”
Luca Marazzi, Project Manager at Thames21, explained: “Thanks to our volunteers, partners and supporters this project is now in its fourth year and has reached the stage of sharing our volunteer data and insights with policy makers and the public. We trust that we will identify practical solutions (including on bin provision and signage) and monitor their effectiveness towards curbing plastic pollution at one pilot study site in Salford with the aim of replicating them at other sites.”
Background information
- Thames21, the Mersey Rivers Trust, the British Plastic Federation, INOVYN, LyondellBasell, Suez, Plastics Europe and Recoup are the organisations that are part of the Plastic Free Mersey project.
About Thames21
Thames21 connects people with rivers by putting healthy rivers back at the heart of everyday life. We improve and restore rivers, educate and empower the community and campaign for positive change for the good of people and the environment. www.thames21.org.uk | Registered Charity No. 1103997
About the Mersey Rivers Trust
The Mersey Rivers Trust is a charity working in partnership with all those interested in improving local rivers and waterways for people and wildlife. As a member of the national Rivers Trust movement, it is the Rivers Trust for the River Mersey and its catchment, covering Merseyside, Greater Manchester and much of Cheshire.
www.merseyrivers.org | Registered Charity No. 1196777