Action Against Litter newsletter – Issue 13
Plastic pollution: a global problem with local solutions
Plastic pollution can sometimes feel like a problem that is too big for any one person to solve. But what happens to a plastic bottle, food wrapper or drinks cup after it has been dropped on the street or left on a beach?
It doesn’t simply disappear.
Plastic is durable, which makes it useful, but it also means that once it enters the environment, it can persist for a very long time. Sunlight, wind and waves can break larger pieces of plastic into progressively smaller fragments, creating microplastics. These tiny pieces can enter marine environments and may be eaten by wildlife. Marine Debris Program
Plastic pollution is now being discussed at an international level too. The United Nations is working towards a legally binding international agreement to address plastic pollution, including pollution in the marine environment. Negotiations are continuing in 2026. UNEP – UN Environment Programme.
But we don’t have to wait for international agreements to take action locally.
Five ways to reduce plastic pollution
- Reuse before recycling: A reusable bottle, coffee cup or shopping bag can help avoid repeatedly buying single-use alternatives.
- Recycle what you can: Put accepted plastic packaging into the correct recycling container and check the council’s current recycling guidance if you’re unsure.
- Bin it – don’t drop it: A small piece of litter can be carried by wind or rain and eventually reach the sea.
- Take litter home when bins are full: Overflowing bins can quickly become a source of litter, particularly on windy coastal days.
- Join a litter pick: Removing litter from streets, parks and beaches helps prevent it from becoming marine litter in the first place.
Every piece counts
The best litter is the litter that never enters the environment.
Whether it’s choosing a reusable bottle, refusing unnecessary packaging, using a recycling bin or picking up a piece of litter on your walk, small actions add up – particularly when thousands of people make them.