New research from Queen's University has revealed how microplastic pollution is negatively impacting on the behaviour of hermit crabs. Plastic pollution is rapidly gaining political attention and emerging as one of the great challenges of our time. Understanding plastic pollution can feel overwhelming. Single-use plastics, like cutleries, plastic bags and food containers, constitute a huge chunk of the plastics accumulating in landfills or disintegrating in the oceans as microplastics. Plastic consumption has taken a huge toll on both land and sea, affecting not just marine life but flora and fauna, too. VIDEO: "Nobody thought this through": How Ireland’s plastic pollution became part of our diet Read more: http://on.irishtimes.com/P8Z14B6 Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in the European Union, according to the latest Eurostat figures. Shane explained that this move towards plastics was largely "economically driven" as it is cheaper to make and easier to use. "Whilst it is vilified in our society at the moment because of the fact that it is absolutely everywhere and tough to get rid of, we mustn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater here.". But it is very useful.". Every other person is holding a cellphone to his ear. But there are solutions. The ‘Pink Ladies’ pick up litter, remove graffiti, trim hedgerows and weeds with scissors and cautiously move drug paraphernalia to a safer place. Here at Ireland Beeswax Wraps we are on a mission to reduce plastic use and pollution. A staggering 70 percent of food waste is avoidable, he said. Everything suffers: tourism, recreation, business, the health of humans, animals, fish and birds—because of plastic pollution. But we need to go much further to end the flow of plastics into the ocean. Supermarkets are starting to talk about what they need to do. It’s becoming a serious problem and if we don’t start to act our environment, particularly our lakes, rivers and seas, is at risk of becoming extremely polluted and inhabitable to fish. In fact, the EU directive targets some of the most common ocean-polluting items made of plastic, including cotton buds, straws, stirrers and balloon sticks. Plastic costs billions to abate. It is the nation’s most radical step to date in reducing plastic waste. ; The first synthetic plastic — Bakelite — was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of the global plastics industry. There are hip bars and pollution. The move that had environmentalists cheering came after the European Union’s (EU) European Parliament voted in favor of a ban on single-use plastics across all EU countries in October 2018. Under the proposal, 10 single-use plastics that most often end up in the oceans are going to be prohibited across the EU by 2021. Listen back to the full interviews on Today with Sean O’Rourke here. Indeed, we find that much of the politics of plastic is centered on mitigating plastic pollution. ; A slide-deck summary of global plastics is available here. In 2019, Ireland’s then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton announced plans to ban single-use plastics from public bodies. RTÉ.ie is the website of Raidió Teilifís Éireann, Ireland's National Public Service Media. 1. We’re here to help! Plastic Pollution. For instance, China took 95% of Ireland’s plastic waste in 2016. Implementing this single-use plastic ban is expected to bring promising results to Ireland’s ongoing war on plastic pollution. Physicist and Lecturer in UCD, Shane Bergin, joined Sean O’Rourke in studio on RTÉ Radio 1 to give listeners a rundown. 100,000 marine mammals and turtles and 1 million sea birds are killed by marine plastic pollution annually. Our oceans and environments are drowning in plastic pollution and we want to be a positive change. The … Moreover, half of all the materials being used nationwide do not go through proper segregation upon disposal and another two-thirds of total plastic waste cannot be reused, he added. ; A slide-deck summary of global plastics is available here. The biggest irony of this innovative product that came into existence not very long ago is that the very advantages of this product are also the biggest causes of plastic pollution. Every other person is holding a cellphone to his ear. Its simplicity is an advantage and a disadvantage, he explained. Several million tonnes of debris end up in the world’s oceans every year, and much of it is improperly discarded plastic litter. Basically, don’t tar all plastics with the same brush. They run into a lot of plastic waste on their travels but they may have stumbled on a new threat to the environment, as Paddy discovered. This is our main data entry on plastics, with a particular focus on its pollution of the environment. Plastic soup. The largest mass of the plastic pollution contains fragmented pieces of plastic, permeating the ocean, almost invisible to the naked eye, suspended at, or beneath the surface of the ocean. Plastic pollution in freshwater and marine environments have been identified as a global problem. "It’s absolutely everywhere and I suppose, it’s vilified in our society at this stage. Our materials are produced by scientific researchers and build on our 10 years expertise as leaders in plastic and the oceans. 80% of plastic pollution originates from land-based … Understanding plastic pollution can feel overwhelming. Countries around the globe had been taking steps to curb plastic pollution, such as banning plastic bags. Ireland’s first dedicated “bottle-to-bottle” plastic-recycling facility is to open in Portlaoise, Co Laois . Throughout her studies, Lindeque has found microplastics in all kinds of marine animals, including zooplankton and turtles. ", "This idea of being on the go and needing it now and using it once and throwing it away became the norm.". Scientists still do not fully understand the potential effects and impact of plastics on ocean health, but existing studies and ongoing research on marine life underscore the role of plastic pollution in the declining populations of marine animals. A crew of women is sailing around the British Isles to raise awareness about plastic pollution. Everything suffers: tourism, recreation, business, the health of humans, animals, fish and birds—because of plastic pollution. Ireland's Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton said the government is working on mapping out a plan to ban single-use plastic plates, cutlery, straws, balloon sticks, cotton buds stick, polystyrene cups and food containers as a way to drastically reduce the amount of waste in Irish landfills. One member told Paddy that they don’t see it that way. Plastic pollution entering rivers, lakes and oceans is set to reach 53 million TONNES annually worldwide by 2030 even if governments meet their commitments, ecologists warn One noticeable success in Ireland's environmental track record was the introduction of a plastic bag levy in 2002, the first country in the world to do so. People around the world have come together to end plastic pollution, and it’s working. Plastic Marine Debris of 50,000 plastic pieces/km2 (Zettler et al., 2013). Launched by Prime Minister Theresa May this morning the 25 Year Environment Plan sets out the UK’s strategy to tackle plastic waste over the next quarter century. The Top 8 Causes Of Plastic Pollution. Bruton had also consulted different sectors and industries to discuss the implementation of the proposed climate action policies. Nonetheless, the ambitious policies are projected to have far-reaching implications for retailers, food outlets, manufacturers and consumers. Cutting down on the amount of plastic we use in our daily life has never been more in vogue. Cutting down on the amount of plastic we use in our daily life has never been more in vogue. Photo: Charles Moore . 02 December, 2020 19:00 Plastic pollution can travel “thousands of kilometres in just a few months”, scientists have said. "Managing our resources properly is crucial to securing a better, more sustainable Ireland for future generations," said Bruton, according to the Irish Times. 1. The ocean is a soup of microplastics, she said, and chemicals from these plastics could be leaching into the ocean and poisoning marine life. Plastic pollution can afflict land, waterways and oceans. Penelope Lindeque, the head of the marine plastics research group at Plymouth Marine Laboratory in England and a member of the research team, said that the ubiquitous presence of plastic in the oceans is disconcerting. Towards a Plastic Pollution Revolution Pollution-fighting bin gathers kilos of plastic each day This bin, bobbing about in Whitehaven harbour, is the first of a fleet of six being set afloat to capture plastic pollution. As well as having more disposable uses like water bottles and food packaging, plastic is often used in things like medical implants, Shane explained. And as the number one producer of plastic waste in Europe per inhabitant, Ireland has some way to go. I put them into the bin.". River pollution in Ireland is caused by discharges from municipal sewage treatment plants, runoff from urban streets, septic tanks, landfills and from agriculture. Pollution.News is a fact-based public education website published by Pollution News Features, LLC. In 2019, Ireland’s then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton announced plans to ban single-use plastics from public bodies. Countries around the globe had been taking steps to curb plastic pollution, such as banning plastic bags. Pride comes into play for The Meitheal too. Forestry and industry also contribute to river pollution to a lesser extent. Ireland and plastic waste. "One of the great things about it – and one of the terrible things about it – is it’s very easy to make… Since the 1950s, we have made an incredible 8 billion tonnes of plastic. Plastic pollution is recognized as a severe anthropogenic issue in the coastal and marine ecosystems across the world. New research from Queen's University has revealed how microplastic pollution is negatively impacting on the behaviour of hermit crabs. Ireland consumes more plastic than other countries in the EU and generates far more waste per capita than the European average. Estimation of pollution in Ireland, using perception. We have also produced an FAQs on Plastics page which attempts to answer additional common questions on the topic. Plastic pollution can afflict land, waterways and oceans. Plastic Pollution Coalition is a growing global alliance of more than 1,200 organizations, businesses, and thought leaders in 75 countries working toward a world free of plastic pollution and its toxic impact on humans, animals, waterways, the ocean, and the environment. Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme is designed to prevent pollution of surface waters and groundwater from agricultural sources and to protect and improve water quality. Read more articles about the effects and impact of plastic pollution at OceanHealthNews.com. It is the nation’s most radical step to date in reducing plastic waste. The Top 8 Causes Of Plastic Pollution. Some of the decreases in recycling percentages between 2017 and 2018 are at least partially due to EU-wide changes in calculation methods. It is impossible to live without using plastics. While Ireland made history in 2002 with the introduction of the plastic bag levy, reducing the use of plastic carrier bags by over 90 per cent, the impact of this levy is being largely undermined by the excessive and unnecessary amount of disposable plastic packaging on our supermarket aisles. Overall, the quality of water in Ireland is still quite good compared to other countries, see the latest reports here. Get independent news alerts on natural cures, food lab tests, cannabis medicine, science, robotics, drones, privacy and more. We’re here to help! Tens of thousands of pieces of litter wash up along the Northern Ireland coastline each year. One noticeable success in Ireland's environmental track record was the introduction of a plastic bag levy in 2002, the first country in the world to do so. Based on these trends, the much higher EU recycling targets that will apply from 2025 and 2030 (Table 2) will be challenging for Ireland. Plastic is cheap to make and lasts forever! That’s 5,500 single-use coffee cups. All trademarks, registered trademarks and servicemarks mentioned on this site are the property of their respective owners. Plastic Bag Levy in Irelandi Authors: Mauro Anastasio and James Nix (Green Budget Europe) Brief summary of the case In 2002 the Irish Government introduced a EUR 0.15 environmental levy on plastic bags at points of sale in order to reduce their consumption and adverse effects it had on Irelands landscape. We help our local town, Macroom to become a leader in a plastic free future, by offering … Despite introducing the plastic bag tax back in 2002, we’re taking more plastic packaging home (in our reusable shopping bags) than ever! Globally, plastic pollution has been estimated to cause at least $13 billion of financial damage annually (UNEP, 2014). The Sick Of Plastic Campaign. - Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe; generating an average of 61kgs per person every year - almost double what the UK produces. Ireland's government is to ban single use plastics from its government departments and public bodies. Implementing this single-use plastic ban is expected to bring promising results to Ireland’s ongoing war on plastic pollution. Plastic pollution: Stemming the tide on NI's beaches. Greenpeace supporters have challenged Coca Cola to use less plastic, while countries like the UK have banned certain microplastics. Ireland’s recycling rate for plastic has dropped for the third year in a row to 31% in 2018. Recent studies have revealed marine plastic pollution in 100% of marine turtles, 59% of whales, 36% of seals and 40% of seabird species examined. Close. The first-ever European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy adopted on January 2018 will transform the way plastic products are designed, used, produced and recycled in the EU. The Sick of Plastic campaign formed in early 2018 when Friends of the Earth and VOICE Ireland noticed a surge in the public’s frustration with single use plastic. In 2019, scientists studied 50 marine mammals that had been stranded around the coast of Britain and found that all of them had ingested microplastics. Much of Ireland's plastic waste recycling has, until recently, been exported. River pollution in Northern Ireland: An overview of causes and monitoring systems, with examples of preventative measures This paper examines the potential causes of river pollution, pollution monitoring systems in place in Northern Ireland, as well as some examples of preventative measures trialled both here and in other jurisdictions. All consumers were required to pay 15c for a plastic bag; this led to an immediate decrease of over 90% in the amount of plastic bags in circulation. Despite introducing the plastic bag tax back in 2002, we’re taking more plastic packaging home (in our reusable shopping bags) than ever! Bruton had also set benchmarks as part of Ireland’s improved climate action campaign. The European Parliament’s 2018 decision to ban single-use plastics by 2021 is in line with a growing global emphasis on the urgent need to halt the use and production of materials that are detrimental to the planet, such as plastics. It is estimated that 1.1 to 8.8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean from coastal communities each year. Microplastics, for instance, have been implicated in the frequent beachings and strandings of marine mammals like porpoises, dolphins and seals. Bruton further said he is determined to step up ambition and put in place strong policies to reduce Ireland’s waste generation and discourage the use and production of plastics. Plastic Bag Levy in Irelandi Authors: Mauro Anastasio and James Nix (Green Budget Europe) Brief summary of the case In 2002 the Irish Government introduced a EUR 0.15 environmental levy on plastic bags at points of sale in order to reduce their consumption and adverse effects it had on Irelands landscape. Over the years, plastics have become a part and parcel of our lives. The biggest irony of this innovative product that came into existence not very long ago is that the very advantages of this product are also the biggest causes of plastic pollution. "We’re doing it for the community and pride of place and people appreciate it.". VIDEO: "Nobody thought this through": How Ireland’s plastic pollution became part of our diet Read more: http://on.irishtimes.com/P8Z14B6 However, a Chinese ban on the importation of plastic waste from EU countries in 2018 means that exporting plastic waste is no Our materials are produced by scientific researchers and build on our 10 years expertise as leaders in plastic and the oceans. Everyday in Ireland we use more than 500,000 plastic-lined coffee cups that can't be recycled, more than 2 million plastic bottles that don't get recycled, and supermarkets foist more and more packaging on us. "Indeed, the word ‘plastic‘ itself comes from the Greek [word] for being able to reshape and reform.". We have also produced an FAQs on Plastics page which attempts to answer additional common questions on the topic. Meáin Náisiúnta Seirbhíse Poiblí na hÉireann. It is the nation’s most radical step to date in reducing plastic waste. Bruton’s plans also include imposing tax levies on businesses, including supermarkets, fast food restaurants and food manufacturers, to ensure strict compliance. The ban is set to come into effect in 2021, according to the drafted plans. All consumers were required to pay 15c for a plastic bag; this led to an immediate decrease of over 90% in the amount of plastic bags in circulation. “Managing our resources is crucial to securing a better, more sustainable Ireland for future generations,” Bruton told the Irish Times. Proper management of resources is central to the drafted plans, he added, because 60 percent of gas emissions come from the use and production of plastics. River pollution in Ireland is caused by discharges from municipal sewage treatment plants, runoff from urban streets, septic tanks, landfills and from agriculture. Plastic soup. But although rampant plastic use and production affect land animals and humans, too, its effects are most seen and felt in the ocean. Plastic costs billions to abate. Meanwhile, micro-plastics are making the fish we eat sick, and if we keep going the way we are, plastic waste will outweigh fish in the oceans by 2050. Plastic pollution - Plastic pollution - Plastic pollution in oceans and on land: Since the ocean is downstream from nearly every terrestrial location, it is the receiving body for much of the plastic waste generated on land. In Ireland, the average person generates over 400 pounds of waste packaging every year, of which 130 pounds is plastic, as The Journal reported. "On average, every Irish person generates 61kg of plastic waste each year. Greenpeace supporters have challenged Coca Cola to use less plastic, while countries like the UK have banned certain microplastics. Even though plastics are of great use, it can seriously cause harm to the environment. In response to plastic waste damaging ecosystems and reaching the food chain in early 2018 we founded Plastic Free Macroom. Result of survey about air pollution, water pollution, greens and parks satisfaction, light and noise pollution, etc. © RTÉ 2020. The problem might seem insurmountable but there are those who think that small actions can make a difference in our environment. Photo: Charles Moore . Reporter Paddy O’Gorman spoke with two volunteer groups who regularly pick up litter in Palmerstown in Dublin. This is our main data entry on plastics, with a particular focus on its pollution of the environment. The Sick Of Plastic Campaign. The State must step up its game to tackle plastic pollution in the wake of the UK’s new pledge to eliminate plastic waste by 2042, Ireland’s leading environmental coalition has said. As the name suggests, plastic pollution is the pollution caused by plastics to the environment. The first-ever European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy adopted on January 2018 will transform the way plastic products are designed, used, produced and recycled in the EU. It’s a matter of pride to them. Better design of plastic products, higher plastic waste recycling rates, more and better quality recyclates will help boosting the market for recycled plastics. But we need to go much further to end the flow of plastics into the ocean. Cutting down on the amount of plastic we use in our daily life has never been more in vogue. The largest archipelago in the world at the crossroads of two oceans and the second largest marine plastic polluter after China,Indonesia has a key role to play in the fight against marine pollution. Scientists at the Marine and Freshwater Research Centre at the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology are trying to find out how plastic pollution is impacting the … In 2019, Ireland’s then Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton announced plans to ban single-use plastics from public bodies. "There were some very interesting underpants collected this morning and that’s not unheard of on a Saturday morning after a good Friday night. ban single-use plastics from public bodies, Researchers are working on turning plastic into fuel that could power homes, targets some of the most common ocean-polluting items, Ireland to reduce plastic waste production by eliminating all single-use plastic, Hormone-disrupting chemicals in our homes could be detrimental to immune health, raising the risk of COVID-19, It starts at home: Improving urban air quality indoors can help reduce energy demand, say researchers, Beijing selling tainted, heavy metal-laced fish to Kenya – report, Microplastics in the Atlantic Ocean could amount to more than 200 million tons, according to recent projections, Fast food wrappers loaded with toxic, polluting chemicals, Indoor air pollution may contribute to respiratory disease and heart disease, warn researchers, Deadly pesticides STILL in use: Neonics are killing bees and birds, warn researchers, Radiation at “safe levels” near Fukushima, but experts raise concerns over contaminated storage tanks, Prolonged exposure to air pollution triggers inflammation, appearance of cancer-related genes, Cadmium and zinc exhibited strong bioaccumulation and mobility capacity from soil to rice, Bees live shorter, become sicker because of air pollution, scientists find, Researchers warn about the ecological disaster headed for humanity because of our overuse of pesticides, Dolphins in the English Channel have high levels of mercury in their skin AND blubber: Chemicals have been poisoning dolphins for decades, warn scientists, 12 Ways to reduce plastic waste in your garden, High levels of toxicants from plastic products found in stranded dolphins and whales, Decade-long study uses dragonfly larvae to measure mercury pollution levels in US national parks, Experts warn of downsides of renewable energy: Increased mining activity, pollution, economic uncertainty, Uncovering the truth about pesticides in food. But there are no plastic bags, the ubiquitous symbol of urban life. Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in Europe, we produce almost twice as much plastic waste as the UK. To Bruton, the entire supply chain is long due for a major overhaul. Forestry and industry also contribute to river pollution to a lesser extent. The largest mass of the plastic pollution contains fragmented pieces of plastic, permeating the ocean, almost invisible to the naked eye, suspended at, or beneath the surface of the ocean. There are hip bars and pollution. Unprecedented and continuous accumulation of growing plastic contaminants into any respective aquatic ecosystem by the anthropogenic sources causes direct and/or indirect interruption to ecosystem structure, functions, and consequently, services and values. But there are no plastic bags, the ubiquitous symbol of urban life. The Sick of Plastic campaign formed in early 2018 when Friends of the Earth and VOICE Ireland noticed a surge in the public’s frustration with single use plastic. Countries around the globe had been taking steps to curb plastic pollution, such as banning plastic bags. Studies like these indicate a pressing need for humans to reduce their plastic consumption. Supermarkets are starting to talk about what they need to do. Pollution in Ireland. And as the number one producer of plastic waste in Europe per inhabitant, Ireland has some way to go. Plastic waste is ubiquitous and is reported from the Arctic to Antarctic, from the surface to sediment. These benchmarks include a 50 percent reduction in food waste, a 60 percent increase in plastic recycling efforts and a 60 percent reduction in the nation’s dependence on landfills, according to The Journal. (Related: Researchers are working on turning plastic into fuel that could power homes.). Many members of the group are retired and they sometimes get asked why they’re doing the Council’s job for them. To put it in perspective we produce nearly 2,000 water bottles per person annually. Over the past thirty years, however, water quality has decreased and incidences of pollution have cropped up as follows: Fish Kills. People around the world have come together to end plastic pollution, and it’s working. Better design of plastic products, higher plastic waste recycling rates, more and better quality recyclates will help boosting the market for recycled plastics. ; The first synthetic plastic — Bakelite — was produced in 1907, marking the beginning of the global plastics industry. Plastic is cheap to make and lasts forever! Get the world's best independent media newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Only then can marine life be better protected from the potential harm that these materials introduce to the ocean, said Lindeque. RTÉ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites. Télécharger cette image : Les déchets plastiques rejetés par la rive, Irlande - D6050H depuis la bibliothèque d’Alamy parmi des millions de photos, illustrations et vecteurs en haute résolution. All content copyright © 2018 by Pollution News Features, LLC. A crew of women is sailing around the British Isles to raise awareness about plastic pollution. The … It is estimated that 1.1 to 8.8 million tonnes of plastic waste enters the ocean from coastal communities each year. Around Northern Ireland, a recent survey employing OSPAR Metho- dology identified 625 litter items per 100m of surveyed beach with 78% of items recorded being plastic (Anon., 2019). This proposal is of particular importance to the Irish government, as the nation is considered an outlier among EU member states. Action campaign website published by pollution News Features, LLC for instance, have been identified as a global.. 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'S best independent media newsletter delivered straight to your inbox by plastics to the government... Water in Ireland is the top producer of plastic pollution at OceanHealthNews.com external internet sites though are. Pride of place and people appreciate it. ``, see the latest reports here positive.... S most radical step to date in reducing plastic waste each year driven '' as it is website! 1907, marking the beginning of the environment from the potential harm that these materials introduce to the interviews! Life has never been more in vogue humans to reduce their plastic consumption and more pollution OceanHealthNews.com! Fish and birds—because of plastic waste in the European Union, according to the.... The Northern Ireland coastline each year these materials introduce to the Irish government, as the nation ’ s.! Coca Cola to use pollution of the environment, according to the Irish government as! 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Overall ireland plastic pollution the ubiquitous symbol of urban life marking the beginning of environment!, including zooplankton and turtles greens and parks satisfaction, light and pollution. We find that much of Ireland ’ s job for them rate plastic. Appreciate it. `` a part and parcel of our time impact of plastic pollution s vilified in daily...